Sweet infant Gunner Michael Berggren, 8 months and 2 days, of Macy, Indiana, passed away quietly and peacefully with his entire family at his side on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 8:40 pm at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, from injuries sustained in an auto accident on Tuesday. Born in Peru, Indiana on May 9, 2022, Gunner was the son of Stephen M. and Kristy R. (Ploof) Berggren.

Surviving Gunner are his sisters Teagyn R. Berggren, Lilli M. Stroud and Harper L. Stroud, all who are still residing at home; grandparents Rick (Missy) Berggren of Goshen, Christine (Jo) Johnston of Elkhart, Joyce (Mark) Johnson of Osceola and Tim (Marilyn) Ploof of Clinton, New York; great grandparents Kent & Carolyn Mills of Rochester, Indiana, Glenn and June Golden of Ilion, New York and John "Jack" and Elizabeth "Betty" Kixmiller of Greensburg, Indiana. Gunner also has a nearly endless host of loving and adoring aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, good friends and thoughtful neighbors, as well as his two dogs, Dixie and Luna and a room full of plush toys that are too upset to comment. Speaking for the entire family, Stephen and Kristy would also like to gratefully acknowledge a heartfelt "Thank You" to all of the unknown good Samaritans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, Miami County EMA, St. Joseph County Coroner Nancy Pemberton, the wonderful staff at Dukes Memorial Hospital in Peru and to all of the medical staff, the Donor Network staff, the hospital chaplain's team, ER department, the floor nurses, doctors, "Pi" the therapy dog and other participants of Gunner's final journey at Memorial Hospital South Bend. While the parents were unable to take their sweet Gunner home, they have been taking solace in the thought that their little hero was able to make an amazing anatomical donation that saved some other lives on that fateful day.  It should also be mentioned that the family also would like to sincerely thank the countless friends and anonymous benefactors who donated to Gunner's GoFundMe page. May God Bless all of these amazing people who have touched the lives of the family and have given them the hope and means to go on.

Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart will be hosting Gunner's Homegoing Service on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 3:00 pm, with a public gathering of family and friends starting there at 1:00 pm. Pastors Gary Sheets of the Middlebury Community Church and Jeremy Sarber, Chaplain, Billings Funeral Home, will officiate Gunner's services. In accordance with his parents' request, cremation will follow services so Gunner can be taken back home where he belongs.

Although Gunner spent only a few precious months in the lives of his family, he made a lasting impression on everyone for his beautiful smile and his bubbly, happy personality. He loved stuffed animals of all types (especially his little stuffed goosey-goose) and enjoyed playing with his big sisters and being loved on by visiting relatives. Gunner's days usually consisted of plenty of good-morning hugs and kisses from Mommy, then a nice crawl about the living room to get in his daily workout, followed by catching up on all the day's activities as explained by the two dogs, having thoughtful, meaningful conversations with his stuffed animals, eating, and being the center of attention of his three sisters. He also got totally excited about the color red, loved riding in daddy's big truck and looked forward to visiting his Omi, where he could play with her four cats and listen to her gently hum Braham's Lullaby in his ear to get him to calm down after a busy day.

All in all, Gunner was the sunshine in everyone's life, and he did his best to keep up that reputation. Full of love, wonder, amazement, curiosity and surprise, it was a joy just to watch him interact with the world around him. Gunner literally loved just about everything and everyone. Many will say that the world has lost a beautiful soul. We prefer to think that Heaven has gained one.

Friends and family wishing to make a donation in Gunner's memory may do so by donating to the Humane Society of Miami or Elkhart County, the Indiana Donor Network, Gunner's GoFundMe page on Facebook or to the cause of one's choice. Additionally, please be sure to thoroughly browse Gunner's obit page, as you are able to leave condolences and memories, post photographs on his memory wall, and order other funerary items in regard to the family.

As a final thought, Gunner's family is requesting that, in lieu of flowers, stuffed plush animals be sent instead. At the end of the service, those wishing to take an animal home with them as a reminder of Gunner's life may do so. Also, everyone is asked to wear something red in honor of Gunner's passion for that color and to celebrate the solidarity of friends and family who have come together to grieve.

Elkhart County Humane Society
54687 County Road 19, Bristol IN 46507
Tel: 1-574-848-4225
Web: http://www.info@elkharthumanesociety.org

Miami County Animal Shelter
6869 E 1200 N, Roann IN 46974
Tel: 1-260-330-0730
Web: https://www.facebook.com/MiamiCountyAnimalShelter

Indiana Donor Network
3760 Guion Road, Indianapolis, IN 46222
Tel: 1-317-685-0389
Email: info@INDonorNetwork.org
Web: https://indianadonornetwork.org/foundation/memorial-gifts/

Family GoFundMe

Charity of One's Choice