Deborah Lynne Bergman Obituary
Deborah (Debby) Lynne (Maier) Bergman, 66, of Saint Joseph, MI passed away peacefully on August 6, 2024, at home surrounded by loved ones after a battle with breast cancer and dementia. Visitation will take place on August 10, 2024, at Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd, Saint Joseph, MI 49085, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at Sister Lakes Community Church, 67119 M-152, Dowagiac, MI 49047, on August 11, 2024, at 3:00 pm. Those wishing to share a memory of Debby online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Born February 27, 1958, in Saint Joseph, MI to Owen and Frieda Maier, Debby grew up loving animals and Jesus. She graduated from Saint Joseph High School in 1976. After studying for two years at Grand Rapids Bible College (now Cornerstone University), Debby married Stephen Bergman on October 7, 1978, and became a secretary at Whirlpool until her first child was born in 1984. Debby then devoted herself to raising their children and working at the family business, The Village Lamp Shoppe. Later, she found great fulfillment in her pet-sitting business, a testament to her enduring love for animals.
Debby attended Napier Parkview Baptist Church for 55 years, where she served as the church clerk and sang in the choir. For the last 11 years, Debby has been an active member of Sister Lakes Community Church. Debby’s love for Jesus shined through in the many hymns and Bible verses she taught her children. Debby wanted her kids and everyone she knew to know her Savior as their own. Many nights before bed, Debby sang Jesus Tender Shepherd Hear Me to her children, and they passed this lullaby on to their own children.
Never knowing a stranger, Debby befriended neighbors, casual acquaintances, strangers in the checkout line, and anyone who came into the Lamp Shoppe. She loved and felt deeply for others. Debby loved her sons-in-law and daughters-in-law and remembered their favorite pizza toppings even though she never remembered her own children’s. She adored her grandchildren and treasured taking them rock hunting, thrifting, and to the beach. Debby’s specialty was doing or saying things that made her family laugh and occasionally shake their heads.
Debby loved all of her pets over the years, especially her cats. Her grandkids called her Grandma Meow Meow. Even as dementia started taking her away from her family, her love of animals and family never ceased.
Debby is survived by her husband, Steve Bergman; children, Stephanie (Dan) Fisher, Cory (Cassie) Bergman, Caleb (Courtney) Bergman, and Amalie (Lee) Montano; grandchildren, Addison Fisher, Sam Fisher, Hudson Bergman, Romey Bergman, Maxwell Bergman, Charlie Bergman, and Evelyn Bergman; mother, Frieda Wickens; brother, John (Helga) Maier; stepbrothers, Perry (Diane) Wickens, Mark (Joelle) Wickens; and mother-in-law, Lou Bergman. She is preceded in death by her father, Owen Maier; her stepfather, Ernie Wickens; her father-in-law, David Bergman; and four children from late-term miscarriages. She was so loved and will be missed by many. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan.
