Martha Estella (Gesell) Bergman, age 95, of Brookville, Indiana died Thursday, December 26, 2019 at her residence in Brookville following a brief illness.
Born January 8, 1924 in Blooming Grove Township, Franklin County, Indiana she was the daughter of the late Henry & Nettie M. (Heeb) Gesell. On April 3, 1948 at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Brookville, she was united in marriage to Alvin F. Bergman, and he preceded her in death on March 15, 1989.
Martha was retired, having worked for over 29 years for the United States Soil Conservation Service, and was proud to have been the first woman elected to the Franklin County Council, which she served for 16 years. She continued to work up until her illness at Four Seasons Florist in Brookville.
Martha was a faithful lifelong member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Brookville, where she taught Sunday School for over 70 years. A member of the Franklin County Farm Bureau, the Extension Homemakers, Brookville Women’s Club, Republican Women’s Club, the Order of Easter Star #449 of Brookville, a former Director of Franklin County United Way, and also participated in the Metamora Performing Arts. Martha was an honorary inductee in the Sagamore Chapter of the National Honor Society at Franklin County High School in 1992.
Her hobbies included quilting, painting, corn husk crafts, gardening & flowers, and many others. She had attended Clown School, and for many years had delighted children of all ages with her Coco the Clown antics.
Martha’s passion was her family, those surviving who will forever cherish her memory include, a daughter and son-in-law, Beth A. (Maurice) Kaiser of Cedar Grove, Indiana, two sons & daughters-in-law, Bruce A. (Mary) Bergman of Brookville, Indiana and Gary G. (Carol) Bergman of Connersville, Indiana; eight grandchildren, Laura (Ray) Lake, Nick (Jennifer) Bergman, Emily (Curt) Schneider, Tara (Rob Campbell) Bergman, Brett (Natalie) Bergman, Kylene (Jack) Chesnut, Kelsey (James) Medawar and Kristi Kaiser; 16 great-grandchildren.
Family & friends may visit from 3 until 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, December 29, 2019, at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville, and from 9:30 until the time of the services on Monday, December 30, 2019 at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Brookville.
Rev. Jill K. Campbell will officiate the Funeral Services on Monday, December 30, 2019, 10:30 A.M., at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 823 Franklin Avenue, Brookville. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Brookville.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Thomas Lutheran Church or the Alvin & Martha Bergman Scholarship Fund at the Franklin County Community Foundation. The staff of Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home are honored to serve the Bergman family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com .
