Owen F. Berner, 80, of Topeka, went to his eternal rest on Monday, May 5, 2014 at his home after a long bought with Parkinson's.
He was born February 27, 1934, in Waterville/Afton, Kansas, the son of Reverend Edwin and Agnes (Keup) Berner. He was a 1952 graduate of Phillipsburg High School, Phillipsburg, KS. He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1958 and was deployed one year in Korea near the DMZ.
Owen was employed by Hallmark Cards in Leavenworth and Topeka for 42 years, retiring in 1996.
Mr. Berner was a member, held various positions and volunteered at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Topeka. He was a member of the Topeka Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. He also was a member of the Midland Railway Historical Association in Baldwin City, KS, where he volunteered for the "Day Out With Thomas" event and also volunteered at the Topeka Railroad Days Festival.
Owen married Sharon L. Rise on April 28, 1973 in Topeka. She survives of the home. Other survivors include a son, David M. (Becky) Berner, Auburn, KS; three sisters, Marilyn Dier, Kearney, NE, Shirley (Gene) White, Aurora, CO and Jan Berner, Overland Park, KS; a brother, Eugene "Bert" (Karen) Berner, Snohomish, WA; sister-in-laws, Shirley (Warren) Falk, Topeka and Cathy Kufahl, Garden City, MO; and also leaves many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Betty Duesing.
Owen enjoyed taking care of his yard, woodworking, collecting antiques, attending auctions and estate sales and tinkering on his Wheel Horse tractor.
A funeral ceremony will be 10 a.m., Monday, May 12, 2014 at the St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 901 SW Fillmore, Topeka, KS 66606. Interment will follow at Meriden Cemetery, Meriden, KS. Owen will lie in state from 1-6 p.m., Sunday, at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, where the family will receive friends from 3-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Hospice, 3715 SW 29th St., Suite 100, Topeka, KS 66614, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church or to Midland Railway Historical Association, P.O. Box 5, Baldwin City, 66006.
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