Velma Berning Obituary

SIDNEY - Velma Ann (Homan) Berning, age 88, formerly of Sharp Road, Sidney, passed away peacefully of natural causes Thursday afternoon, September 18, 2025, at Ohio Living Dorothy Love in Sidney, Ohio, where she had been a resident for nearly seven years.

She was born April 13, 1937, in Chickasaw, Ohio, to the late Leo & Clara (Kaiser) Homan. On May 25, 1957, at Precious Blood Catholic Church in Chickasaw, Velma married Sylvester "Si" Berning who preceded her in death on September 19, 2016. Surviving are six of seven children: Janet Berning (dec.), Lois & Mike Kramer of Versailles, Theresa Berning of Versailles, Patrick & Alice Berning of Minster, Ann & Gerard (dec.) Dircksen of Minster, Connie Tolbert of Anna and Dale & Kay Berning of Sidney; 13 grandchildren: Angie & Justin Armstrong, Amy & Andrew Gruden, Karen Kramer & Rick Vaught, Ashley & Vince Rohr, Jill & Jason Seger, Lora & Zach Siefring, Keith & Chare Berning, Dustin Dircksen, Sara Tolbert, Adam Berning, Rachel & Noah Clark, Erik Berning & fiancée, Allison Roush and Andrew Berning along with 16 great-grandchildren; One brother, Leo Jr. & Diane Homan of Maria Stein and brothers & sisters-in-law, Alvin Brown of New Bremen and Irene Berning of Fort Loramie as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by seven siblings: Maurice & Joann Homan, Harold & Rosemary Homan, Donald Homan, Dorothy & Anthony Brown, Arnold & Lillian Homan, Ruth Brown and Joann Homan as well as brothers & sisters-in-law: Andrew Berning, Norma & Nick Bergman, Eugene Berning, Marie & James Theis and Fred & Betty Berning.

Velma was a 1955 graduate of the former St. John's High School in Maria Stein. She retired from Dorothy Love Retirement Community where she was a nurse's assistant for 25 years. She had also been a dedicated farmwife and homemaker. Velma was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church where she had been a CCD instructor and Eucharistic distributor. She was also active in the Rosary Altar Sodality. Velma was an avid card player, reader and Reds fan. She also enjoyed farm-life, visiting with her grandchildren, and traveling with her late husband, Si.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 AM, Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in McCartyville with Fr. John W. Tonkin presiding. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Family and friends may call Tuesday, 2:00 to 7:00 PM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie and Wednesday, 9:00 to 10:00 AM in the church gathering room. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Miami County, Dorothy Love or charities of choice. Private condolences may be expressed at the gehretfuneralhome.com website.