Frederick John Berning, Sr., age 89, of Temperance, Michigan, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, surrounded by his loving children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Fred was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife of 56 years, Julia “Juliette” (Wolinski) Berning, and his son, Gregory J. Berning, Sr. He was born on June 23,1936, in Toledo, Ohio, to Ethel (Younghans) and Sylvester Berning and grew up in Toledo’s South End.
A lifelong Catholic, Fred attended the former Immaculate Conception School and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1954, where he earned a top 10 ranking as a wrestler. He continued his education through many years of night school at the University of Toledo, studying Land Surveying and Civil Engineering.
His 53-year career as a Professional Land Surveyor and Professional Civil Engineer licensed in both Ohio and Michigan, began in 1954 with the Louis F. Mennitt Survey Company as an instrument man. In 1959, he joined Farnham, Moores & Wirries as a crew chief and later advanced to project engineer, design engineer, and junior partner. He became a full partner in Farnham, Wirries & Berning in 1973, and subsequently achieved sole ownership from 1990 until his retirement in 2007. He also became a partner at ABW Mapping Services and Consultants in 1992 and StormWater Management in 1994.
Fred was actively involved in professional organizations throughout his career, including the Professional Land Surveyors of Ohio (PLSO) (serving as State President, three-time State Annual Convention and Seminar Chairman, and Regional Representative), the Toledo Society of Professional Engineers, the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping (serving as President and Vice-Chairman of the Toledo Chapter and State Director), the International Erosion Control Association, the Home Builders Association of Greater Toledo, the National Association of Home Builders, the Maumee Valley Civitan Club, and the Technical Society of Toledo. He was also a member of the Monroe County Remonumentation Peer Group.
Fred’s professional legacy includes work on countless subdivisions and developments throughout Ohio and Michigan. Notable projects include Apple Valley in Knox County, and many developments in Northwest Ohio such as Stone Oak Country Club, Waterside, The Hamlet, The Quarry, Riverford, and Port Sylvania. In Michigan, his work spanned both Upper and Southeast Michigan, including projects such as Lakes of the North, Presque Isle, Stonegate, Silo Meadows, Bragden Creek, and The Meadows, as well as numerous developments in Bedford Township including The Pines where he lived since 1996. His achievements were highlighted in an article in the Toledo Blade entitled Bedford – Meet Your Maker. In recognition of his professional excellence, Fred was named PLSO State Surveyor of the Year in 1973 and received the Membership Award from the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers in 1977.
His accolades were not limited to his professional life. Fred earned the rank of Life Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and completed the Philmont Ranch Trek in 1953. He served on the Math Committee for the North Central Association self-study at St. Ursula Academy in 1985. He was an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion in the Catholic Church. He was a member of the National Rifle Association, the U.S. Golf Association, and the Toledo Zoo.
The arts were especially important to Fred and Julia, and they shared this sentiment with their children. Many Sundays were spent walking with their children to the Toledo Museum of Art, where they were members, to enjoy concerts and exhibitions. All of their children learned a musical instrument and several continue to play today.
Fred was an avid sports fan who treasured family outings to Toledo Mud Hens and Detroit Tigers games. He loyally cheered for the Detroit Lions through every season. He also supported his children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s athletic pursuits, many of whom played sports throughout their youth and beyond, as players, coaches, or both. A charitable soul, he donated the design and surveying of the St. Ursula Academy soccer field.
Golf was another lifelong passion. Fred played in numerous summer leagues and introduced many family members to the game. Golf was a fixture of family gatherings, and he was especially proud to have designed and surveyed Bedford Hills Golf Club on Jackman Road in Temperance, designated one of the Best Top Ten Golf Courses in the Toledo Area by the Toledo Blade.
His entrepreneurial flair was also demonstrated with his successes in Amway Global, which includes the family being featured in a professionally produced marketing training file (Universal Studios/Amway Corporation, Portraits of Success, 1974), since translated and shown internationally.
He led the Toledo area Christian Family Movement (CFM), serving as State Co-President. He was a local leader for the former Large Families of America.
Walt Disney World was a special place to Fred and Julia, and they spent many family vacations at the parks with their children and grandchildren. Fred was honored as a Parade Honorary Grand Marshal at Walt Disney World in 1991. To celebrate their 45th and 50th wedding anniversaries, Fred and Julia treated their children and grandchildren to extended vacations aboard the Disney Cruise Line.
Known for his dry wit and gentle humor, Fred was a patient teacher and a generous mentor. His attention to detail, creativity, and problem-solving skills extended well beyond his profession—from retrofitting his home’s boiler to late-night math tutoring sessions with his children. He often involved his children in projects, sharing both skills and time, and teaching by example. He also helped spearhead the installation of historic lawn lighting in Toledo’s Old West End, where the family lived for 31 years. In 2019, the family repurchased their former home, now known as the Scottwood Inn (a Victorian style bed and breakfast).
Fred and Julia were long-time parishioners of Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, where they worshiped for 31 years and he donated his design and surveying for the overflow parking lot. In later years, Fred was a parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Temperance, Michigan, where he and Julia donated the grand piano still in use today as well as his surveying and design services for the development of the adjoining Our Lady of Mount Carmel Resurrection Cemetery.
Fred is survived by his sisters, Barbara (Ret. Brig. Gen. Robert) Hardy, Jr., Mary Pasch (George W. and the late Robert Armstrong, the late Gary Garbers), Joan Ruby (the late William Ruby), and his brother William (Carol) Berning.
He is also survived by eight of his nine children: Audrey Berning-Matell (the late Matthew), Frederick Berning, Jr., Michael Berning (Joanna Lee), Helen Davis (the late Roger), Diane (A. Thomas) Haupricht, Juliette (Daniel) Schaefer, Eric (Jennifer Wolcott) Berning, and Louise (Michael) Maxwell.
He is also survived by his fifteen grandchildren: Heather (Aaron) Lauth, Zachary (Stacey) Matell, Alan Berning, Paul Berning, Robert Davis (the late Katrina), Robyn Davis, Raymond Davis, Alexandra (Nikolas) Jannetta, Gregory (Bailey) Berning, Jr., Franklin Berning, Thaddeus Berning, Samantha Berning, Edward Berning, Jacob Maxwell, and Joshua Maxwell.
He is also survived by fourteen great-grandchildren: Ericka Lauth, Frederick Lauth, Maxwell Matell, Miles Matell, Gregory Davis, Anastasia Davis, Joseph Davis, Victoria Davis, Alexander Jannetta, Theodoros Jannetta, Juliana Jannetta, Julia Berning, Isaiah Berning, and Ryder Berning, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.
Frederick Berning, Sr. leaves behind a legacy of integrity, craftsmanship, curiosity, and quiet generosity. He measured the world with precision, but he lived it with heart as he taught by example, solved problems with patience, and shared his time and talents freely with his family, colleagues, and community. His influence continues in the landscapes he helped shape, the institutions he served, and most of all in the lives of those who loved him. He will be deeply missed and remembered with profound gratitude and enduring affection.
Family and friends may visit on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm with Rosary at 5:45pm at Urbanski’s Bedford Funeral Chapel, 8300 Lewis Avenue, Temperance, Michigan. Additional visitation will take place on Friday at 10:00 am, prior to the 11:00 am Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 8330 Lewis Avenue, Temperance, MI 48182.
Fred’s body will be cremated and his ashes will rest alongside his beloved wife’s in the columbarium niche at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Resurrection Cemetery, Temperance, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 8330 Lewis Avenue, Temperance, MI 48182, or to Bedford Senior Community Center, 1653 Samaria Road, Temperance, MI 48182
