Maria Stein man has lived an interesting life

Urban "Uppie" Berning, one of the area's oldest and most accomplished residents, has lived an extraordinary life.

From working as a teenage weatherman for the U.S. Army Air Force in WWII to officiating area athletic contests, providing the voice of the Marion Local Flyers and starting Maria Stein Country Fest, Berning for nearly a century has immersed himself in service to country, community and family.

That great sense of pride for Maria Stein and Marion Local Schools is the animating impulse behind his third publication, a compendium of documents, articles, reflections and photos underlining the success of his hometown from the 1830s up to today.

The publication, which places a strong emphasis on the district's athletic programs, is entitled "Marion Local Flyers." The outer spine contains Berning's own guiding mantra, "Respect All - Fear None! Success is earned, not given." It can be purchased by calling Leugers Insurance in Maria Stein, he said.

"I've put my mind to these books. More people rust out than wear out so I made sure that didn't happen," Berning said.

At 95, Berning, who still drives himself around, is sharp, congenial and above all, immensely grateful for the opportunities he's had and the people in his life.

Berning, the last living of eight siblings, offered an account of a long, well-lived life. Berning credits his mother, Rose, for his vigorous, lively nature and penchant for serving the school and community.

"My mother had polio when she was 14 months old," he said. "She walked on crutches all her life and her words were, 'I wished I had two good legs, what I wouldn't do.' She never saw the inside of a school building but I knew she had a high IQ."

Urban was blessed with two healthy legs and set out to make the most of them. He along with his brothers and sisters worked hard on the farm but he also found time for sports. He boxed, shot hoops and played baseball. After WWII he would go on to play with the Maria Stein Pals who defeated Chickasaw's team to capture the 1947 Mercer County Amateur League Championship.

Additionally he played on a basketball team made up of WWII veterans. They managed to become 1948 Tri County YMCA champions.

"A celebration of sports and brothers who served in the military was a welcoming homecoming," Berning wrote in his second book, "A Life Well Lived."

While his hunger for physical activity came from his mother, his work ethic was inspired by the men in his life. His great, great grandfather, at the age of 16, came to the United States from Hamburg, Germany, with nothing to his name, he said.

"He was a stowaway on a ship," he recalled. "He landed in New York harbor. He was processed at Ellis Island."

His great, great grandfather helped build the Miami and Erie Canal before settling in McCartyville.

Berning's father, too, was an influential figure.

"My dad was one of the hardest working men there ever was. He worked at the foundry in Minster, drove a Model T Ford. One time in the wintertime he couldn't get it started so he walked six miles in the cold, cold weather to go to work," he said.

Like many others, Berning's father lost his farm in the depression but was still able to provide for the family.

"And he always had two cows so that eight children had food on the table. We never suffered from want of food," Berning said.

From his brothers, Berning learned the importance of military service. Cletus was a pilot and instrument instructor while Bob was a paramedic who was wounded by scrap metal at Normandy Beach, Berning said. Bob spent six months in a hospital in Cleveland and was awarded the Purple Heart.

Berning enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force at 17 during his senior year at what was then called St. John School. He was assigned to the role of weatherman reporter in Amchitka, Aleutian Isalnds. He provided weather reports which were crucial for aviation activity.

"When I came home from WWII I worked nights at Goodyear and then I started a retail milk route in Maria Stein," he said. "I had a hundred customers, four schools."

He married Lucille Borger on June 21, 1952. The couple had four children and numerous grandchildren.

Berning's post-war years were filled with a flurry of activities. Professionally, he spent 30 years with the U.S. Postal Service, including a 25-year run as postmaster registered trainer, postmaster stints at New Bremen and Coldwater post offices and various clerk positions.

Sports, though, were a source of great passion for Berning. He umpired baseball for more than 30 years and refereed basketball for 30 years, including 15 county tournaments in Van Wert.

He also officiated games at schools in Mercer and Putnam counties and the final 16 in the state tournament.

Berning spent 50 years as the public address announcer for Marion Local Flyers, including the football and basketball games, track meets and band contests.

"They allowed me to participate in everything, 50 years on the PA system," he said. "I was master of ceremonies when we won our first state basketball tournament in 1975."

His heavy involvement in sporting events speaks to his love of athletics which he believes is the best medium to instill respect, discipline, loyalty and work ethic, values that shape Mercer County.

"If you think you're a bully, play sports. You will find your equal and you will be changed from what could have been a spoiler to a dedicated person to our society," he said.

Berning's involvement didn't end with athletics. He's a life member of the Knights of St. John, Maria Stein American Legion and the Mercer County Elks.

He got in on the ground floor of several organizations, becoming charter member of the Mercer County Elks and Mercer County Hospital Foundation, and launching the highly popular Maria Stein Country Fest.

Prior to Country Fest, the Maria Stein area had three separate festivals, Berning said.

"It didn't make sense. I was working at three of them. Sixty years old and my energy level was falling," he said about the impetus of starting Country Fest.

Today, Berning resides at Otterbein Senior Life in St. Marys and enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren.