Obituary of Ronald Cale Berge

Ronald Cale Berge passed away peacefully Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Riddle Hospital in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Known to his kith as Ron, Ronnie, Dad, or Pop-Pop, he was born April 13, 1936, to Frederick W. Berge (1906-1962) and Nellie P. Sayers (nee Elliott) (1913-1992). Ron's unusual middle name was the nickname of his maternal grandfather, Caleb. Ron grew up in Pennsville, New Jersey, near the Riverview Amusement Park, which he enjoyed as an adolescent and teenager. He resided in Salem County, N.J. until 1971, when he moved to Delaware County, Pennsylvania, residing first in Concord Township and later in Bethel Township, his home until his passing. For most of his adult working life, Ron owned and operated Concord Floor Covering, a floor-covering installation business, located in Brandywine Hundred, Delaware. Earlier in life he worked at Salem Oak Diner (Salem, N.J) and then at DuPont Chambers Works (Deepwater, N.J) For a few years later in life, Ron owned and operated a business installing air purification devices. Ron enjoyed animals. His households often included pet dogs and cats. During the 1960s, Ron owned several ponies and a horse and had the courage to experiment with competitive bull riding at Cowtown Rodeo (Salem County, N.J.). During the 1970s, he personally built a small stable and fenced two acres of his land so that his teenage son could keep cattle and his teenage daughter could keep a horse. In later years, Ron enjoyed feeding wild birds. He supported the conservation of marine animals and ecosystems. Ron excelled at making and doing things with his hands, being a talented craftsman and artist. He succeeded in the floor-covering vocation because of his remarkable ability to make carpet and linoleum seams almost invisible, as well as to precisely cut the covering edges to the contours of bordering walls. When it came to improving his own home, he not only did the floor covering but also the carpentry, ceramic tile, kitchen cabinets, and countertops. In all these endeavors, he was a perfectionist. As a young man Ron dabbled in various hobbies, from flying model airplanes, to building model boats, and to HO-scale model railroading. During mid-life, Ron took up leather working, mostly making belts and miscellaneous items for himself and family members. He also built two Soap Box Derby racers for his son; and he made or refinished a few pieces of wood furniture. After retirement, Ron took up woodcarving and watercolor painting. He quickly became a master wood carver, winning many first-place ribbons at woodcarving exhibits. His specialty was marine life. But he also carved and painted a life-size carousel horse, and a life-sized vulture, the latter for the artist Karl J. Kuerner, who was one of his watercolor teachers. Ron painted watercolors mainly for himself and family. Each year, he painted a new watercolor specifically for Christmas, having it reproduced as Christmas cards which he sent to family members. For physical activity, Ron enjoyed roller skating in his younger years and bowling in later years. As an adult, Ron developed an interest in history, especially the history of the American Civil War, the local history of his hometown, Pennsville, and his own genealogy. He supported the Salem County Historical Society and the Pennsville Historical Society. Often, he would attend Pennsville's annual Septemberfest parade and festival. Pre-deceased by his two brothers and two sisters, Ron is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Allen Berge (nee Feininger), and his children: Ronald C. Berge Jr.; Olivia R. Robinson (nee Berge); Sandi German (husband Fred); Lori Allen; and Rob Allen (wife Dianna). He is also survived by seven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; four nephews; and five nieces. Service information: Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Tuesday, February 24, from 10:00 to 11:00 am, at Pagano Funeral Home, 3711 Foulk Road, Garnet Valley, PA. An informal memorial service will follow at 11:00 am. Interment will take place at Edgewood Memorial Park, Concord Township, PA, at a date later to be determined by the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ronald's memory may be made to the Pennsville Historical Society. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com.