James R. Berning, 75, Fort Loramie, died Sept. 18, 2011, at his residence.

He was born Dec. 28, 1935, in McCartyville to Herbert and Dorothy Howe Berning. On Sept. 25, 1959, he married Carol Ann Vogelsang, who died June 6, 2010.

Surviving are sons, John (Karen) Berning, Versailles, Tom (Elizabeth) Berning, Fenton, Mo., Phil (Diane) Berning, Fort Loramie, and Matt (Leah) Berning, Cincinnati; six siblings, Lois (Don) Dicke, New Bremen, Norma (Jerry) Lunney, Delaware, Marlene (Ron) Hittepole, New Bremen, Barb (Kermit) Freewalt, Minster, Jo (Ray) Meckstroh, Anchorage, Alaska, and Stan Berning, Prescott, Ariz.; two sisters-in-law, Treva Westerheide, Minster, and Mary Jane (Dick) Gusching, Fort Loramie; a stepfather, Harry Ingram, St. Marys; and 11 grandchildren.

He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Fort Loramie, and a SAL member of the Fort Loramie American Legion Post. He retired from the Dannon Company, Minster, after more than 30 years service. He had previously worked for Meyer's Dairy. He was a 1954 graduate of New Bremen High School.

A Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, the Rev. Steven Shoup officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Calling is 4-7 p.m. Tuesday and 9-10 a.m. Wednesday at Gehret Funeral Home, Fort Loramie.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Condolences may be left at gehretfuneralhome.com.