Jack Berner

Jack E. Berner, Sr. of Kalamazoo, MI died peacefully at Bickford of Portage on December 29, 2017 at the age of 94. He was born in Kalamazoo on December 27, 1923 to Charles E. and Edna (Early) Berner. Jack grew up on the east side of Kalamazoo and attended Roosevelt School. Just a few weeks shy of graduation from Kalamazoo Central, Jack enlisted in the Army Air Corps, Second Air Division, in which he served from 1942 to 1945. Jack was a waist gunner and armorer on a B-24 that he and his crew-mates named "Lassie Come Home." He flew 30 missions in the European Theatre, primarily over Germany. After the war, Jack returned to Kalamazoo, worked for General Electric, and then formed the Jack E. Berner Insurance Agency, where he was a Member of LUTC (Life Underwriting Training Council) and NALU (National Association of Life Underwriters). Golf was his real passion and played well into his eighties. Jack had a great sense of humor, was a pleasure to be around and loved dogs. Jack was active in the business community, where he served on the board of Kalamazoo Underwriters and was a member of the local chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Elks Lodge #50, and VFW Post 1527. Jack was also a Life Member of Life Leaders of Michigan and a past president of Kalamazoo AMBUCS. Jack was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou (English) Brodie Berner; his brother and sister-in-law, Louis and Fern Berner, and a nephew, Louis Berner Jr. He is survived by his four children, Jack Jr (Patty) Berner, Jill Rynd, Susan (Rodney) Leversee, and Julie (Gary) Mattison all from Kalamazoo as well as niece, Charlotte Weiss, nephew, Daniel Berner, and several cousins. Also surviving are his step-children, Michael (Jean) Brodie of Portage and Debbie Mosher of Clearwater Florida; nine grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 3 step-great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson. Private services and burial will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to S.P.C.A. of Michigan. Please visit Jack's personalized webpage for online guestbook or to leave a condolence. The family also would like to thank Bickford Cottage for their loving care during his stay. Arrangements were made by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St.