Celebration of Life Scheduled for WKVI’s Tom Berg

Posted on September 12, 2016
Author WKVI

Tommy “Tom” Berg, 53, of Knox, won his battle against Stage 4 metastatic colon cancer on Sept. 11, 2016 as he peacefully passed away in his sleep at Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, Ill.

On June 3, 1963, in Baton Rouge, La., Tom was born to Larry Berg and Judith (Schoenherr) Collins.

Tom was a U.S. Army Veteran, and lifelong, avid Star Wars Fan. Tom’s life was radio. His first “job” was as a child, giving news reports of his backyard happenings. He grew into bigger and better things in the radio world and beyond, acting in numerous plays, commercials, television shows and a movie.

Tom landed his dream job as host of the morning show at WKVI-FM in Knox six years ago. Prior to that, he worked with numerous media outlets, including WFBQ, WRTV, WCBK, QMIX, WZPL, WMYS, WCVL, WIRE, WTPI, WNTR, WNYS, WKLU, and Armed Forces Radio. Tom adored his listeners, and the feeling was mutual.

In 2012, Tom broke the Guinness World Record for longest continuous run of one DJ on a single air shift, going for 187 hours straight.

Tom was a member of GEN CON, POP CON, Indy Knights, the Merrimac Players, Indiana  Broadcasters Association, Nap Town Stomp Lindy Hop Society, and a faithful supporter of The Good News Clubs of Starke County.

Tom is survived by his mother: Judith Collins and step-father Ted Collins; sister, Jamie Rix, and many extended family members. Tom is also survived by his Eclectic family, including his caregiver of the past 13 months, Sarah Gillard; her husband, James; her daughter, Emma; Liz and Mike Todd; Trudy Perzee, and Julie Gross.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Larry Berg.

Friends are invited to a Celebration of Life celebration Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016 at the Knox United Methodist Church at 2 p.m., with visitation there from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Good News Club of Starke County or the Food Bank of Community Services of Starke County.

Boersma Funeral Home in Wheatfield is in charge of arrangements.