Frances Jean Berg

Frances Jean Berg , 96, of Cave Junction departed peacefully on the afternoon of November 9,
2023. Jean was born to Thomas McCants and Norma Olson on the Easter Sunday of April 17,
1927 in Los Angeles, California. The first of their 3 children.

Inheriting her father's love of music, she picked up the violin at a young age and pursued it
doggedly with her parents' support. Her mother going so far as to also take lessons to be certain
of Jean's progress. Her musical talent led to many featured performances as she grew up and
attended George Washington High School and Pepperdine University in Los Angeles. She
possessed a strong and clear singing voice as well. And could always be heard leading the
hymns at church services. Jean was an active and devoted member of the Lutheran Church
throughout her life. And at Messiah Lutheran Church in LA she would meet the love of her life,
Eldon Berg, who had recently returned from serving as a Navy SeaBee in the South Pacific.
They were married there on May 21, 1950

The couple and their son John moved to La Habra in 1952. Jean’s beloved younger brother
Eddy was born with Down’s Syndrome. And this helped inspire her to follow a career in special
needs education where she assisted the development of many elementary and middle
schoolers.

In 1976, Jean and Eldon relocated to Hemet, California to be near family. There she was the
secretary for a mobile home sales company, and later, the office manager for Western Farm
Service up until her retirement in 1991.

In ‘91, Jean and Eldon moved to Oregon and settled in Cave Junction. Where Eldon's family
had put down roots in the Illinois Valley decades earlier. Jean enjoyed spending her retirement
hosting and engaging with family, friends, and the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church community.
Jean was a member of C.J. Lutheran Women of I.V., Promise Circle, and the I.V. senior center.
She was an active gardener, an avid reader, and never missed completing the cryptoquote in
her daily newspaper. Her 3 grandsons often came to visit for the summer and Jean was a
devoted and enthusiastically supportive influence in their lives. Passing on that love of music to
them, as she had with her son John.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband Eldon, sister Patsy (Tom) Peden, brother Edward
McCants, son John, and grandson Adrian. She is survived by her Daughter-in-law Nancy and
grandsons Martin and Colin.

Any donations should be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Cave Junction