William ‘Bill’ David Bergen, 77, of Litchfield, died on Friday, April 10, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 17, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Burial will be in Elm Lawn Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield.
Mr. Bergen was born on Oct. 7, 1948, in Springfield, a son of Harry Arthur and Mary Ann (Stramic) Bergen. He graduated from Lanphier High School in Springfield and went on to attain an associate degree from Long Beach City College, attended Sangamon State University and received his certification from the University of Illinois Firefighters School.
Mr. Bergen married the former Joyce Lynn Keiser on May 5, 1979, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. They enjoyed nearly 47 years of marriage.
Mr. Bergen proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam war and held membership in the local posts of the VFW, American Legion, and Order of the Eagles.
A resident of Montgomery County, Mr. Bergen served as a Litchfield firefighter and EMT for 30 years and was fire chief for the last 15 years of his career, retiring in 2006. Additionally, he was an arson investigator for Litchfield and Montgomery County and served as a Montgomery County deputy coroner. Mr. Bergen served on the Montgomery County Board as well as the Litchfield Zoning Board of Appeals. He also served on the Litchfield Park District Board for 16 years, including time as president.
He had a love and passion for coaching, serving as Litchfield High School girls soccer head coach for 16 years, along with his daughters’ youth soccer and softball teams. He was a board member of the Litchfield Youth Soccer Association for over 25 years. Mr. Bergen was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, where he served as an elder, participated in “The Promise” pageant and coached Zion girls basketball.
Mr. Bergen loved and cherished his daughters, grandchildren, high school girls soccer teams, and his new truck. He touched countless lives and will be deeply missed.
In addition to his wife, Joyce, Mr. Bergen is survived by his daughters, Susan (Dan) Schoenleber of St. Charles, MO, and Stacy (JD) Martin, of Austin, TX; siblings, Tom Bergen of Riverside, CA, Jeanette Seitz and Carole (Wayne) Mendenhall, both of Springfield; and grandchildren, Finley, Hallie, Blake and Charlotte.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother, Robert Bergen.
Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church or School, Litchfield Sports Boosters, or Litchfield Volunteer Fire Department. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is assisting the Bergen family. To leave an online condolence or to order flowers, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
