Margaret Amanda Berning

Margaret Amanda “Susie” (Ray) Berning, 86, of rural Harwood, passed away peacefully May 25, 2017, in Community Springs Nursing Home, El Dorado Springs. Margaret was born Dec. 19, 1930, near Bear Creek, MO, the sixth child of Fåred Orville and Stella Virginia (Price) Ray.

Margaret graduated in 1948 from Bear Creek High School where she became lifelong friends with Jean (Neill) Fleeman, Margery (Wallen) Gannaway and Mary Lou (Fleeman) Simmons. She played basketball for the Bear Creek Bears and she was a faithful attendee of the school reunions.

On June 7, 1952, she married Chester Laverne Berning, who preceded her in death July 12, 1994. They began their married life in Stockton, where she was employed at Hammons Products. They moved to El Dorado Springs in 1959, where she was a homemaker until 1968. She then began employment at the Community Nursing Home, where her career spanned 32 years, retiring as a med tech.

She faithfully attended the Church of the Nazarene until her health failed, especially enjoying the Ladies Ministries.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Aaron Edwin; her parents; three sisters – Allene, Beaulah Dean and baby Katherine; three brothers – Fred, Paul and Charles Eldon Ray; and one great-granddaughter, baby Airason Berning.

She is survived by two sons, Scott (Suzette) Berning and Blaine Berning, El Dorado Springs; one daughter, Deborah (Randy) Kimes, Murray, KY; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were held Monday, May 29, in Lindley Prairie Cemetery,Bear Creek, with Pastor Wendell Daniel officiating. Pallbearers were Blaine Berning, Ryan Berning, Derek Berning, Dillon Berning, Kevin Berning and Randy Kimes.

The family requests that memorial donations be sent to the Ladies Ministries, Church of the Nazarene, 3896 S Hwy 32, El Dorado Springs MO 64744 or left at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at www.blandhackleman.com.