Ivan Berwager

Born: July 11, 1927
Died: May 06, 2009
Services: The funeral will be held at 11 am Monday, May 11, 2009 at Calvary Bible Church with The Rev. Michael Osladil officiating. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery with military graveside rites being conducted by Hanover Allied Veterans Honor Guard.
Visitation: The viewing will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Ivan Berwager, 81, of Hanover, loving husband of Marjorie, entered into God’s eternal care on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at Hanover Hospital.Born July 11, 1927 in Deep Run, MD on a farm, he was one of thirteen children of the late T.H. Berwager and Beulah A. Barnhart Berwager. He was also preceded in death by his twin sons, who died at birth, three brothers, Hurley, Melvin and Woodrow Berwager and five sisters, Treva Zumbrum, Erma Hilker, Hazel Sullivan, Lettie Dupler and Gladys Shadle. He attended a one room school house in Deep Run and was then drafted into the United States Army on September 20, 1945. He received his basic training at Fort Bragg, NC where he drove M40 M5 tractors for 105 and 155 Howitzers and was later called upon for gunnery on the 105 Howitzer. Upon completion of his basis training, he set sail for Chinhae, Korea in the spring of 1946. He was promoted to Motor Sergeant for Battery 51st Field Artillery AP06, where he supervised three mechanics, six vehicles plus a Howitzer along with all the reports. He had the privilege to vacation in Tokyo, Japan as a non-commissioned officer. It was there that he learned the horrors and devastation that war brings, for he was able to see the destruction that the second Atomic Bomb brought upon Nagasaki, a blackness as far as one’s eyes could see. Upon completion of his tour of duty in Korea, he returned to United States on February 28, 1947. On March 27, 1948, he was married to his only sweetheart, Marjorie Zentz at St. David’s Union Church by The Rev. A. M. Hollinger.Mr. Berwager worked for Peterman Pontiac as Motor Technician for 10 years and then later was co-owner of Berwager and Hempfing Amoco Service for 30 years. After his retirement in 1988, he worked for Shearers and Cremer Florists and then Champion Chevrolet as a messenger for title work. He later worked part time jockeying cars for Gene Latta Ford, Hanover Toyota, Hanover Honda, Hanover Hyundai and Hanover Chrysler Truck.Ivan was very active in service of others. He was a treasurer and past president of West Manheim PTA and active in Christian Endeavor Society of St. David’s Union Church. He loved music and loved to sing; singing in the church choir, men’s quartet, and duets with his wife. He loved to teach, having taught Sunday School for over 50 years and leading prayer meeting groups until his illness set in. He served as an elder for 15 years. In addition to his wife of 61 years, he is survived by their children, Ivan Berwager, Jr. and his wife Theresea of Poway, CA, Bonnie E. Smith and her husband Mark of Meridian, ID, Michael E. Berwager of Hanover, Stephen D. Berwager of Clyde, NC, Thomas E. Berwager and his wife, Debra, Timothy A. Berwager and his wife Sheri, all of Hanover, Gloria A. Brabham and her husband Herbert of Lansdown, PA and Deborah K. Miller and her husband Kevin of Spring Grove; four sisters, Pauline Mummert, Nadine Neiderer, Mary Gilbert and Grace Hempfing and her husband Gerald, all of Hanover; 13 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.


Memorials: Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Calvary Bible Church Missionary Fund, 603 Wilson Avenue, Hanover PA 17331.










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