April 27, 1929 – November 25, 2017
Lawrence Joseph Berneche, 88, of Columbia, MO, died peacefully on November 25, 2017 at the Truman Veteran’s Hospital in Columbia, MO after a short illness. At his request, no services will be held.
Mr. Berneche was born April 27, 1929 in Indianapolis, IN to Theodore Joseph Berneche and Cora Marie (Hawkins) Berneche. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Robert Lynn Berneche and Jerry Douglas Berneche.
He attended Kokomo High School and Indiana University. Joe was a Korean War veteran, having served in the Army Medical Corps, 24th Division of 19th Regiment from 1951-1952, attached to an infantry division. After eight days of training, he was responsible for triage of wounded soldiers.
After his military service, Joe attended college at Chico State University, receiving a Master’s Degree in Literature in 1963. Joe’s career took him to many places. He taught English at Modesto High School and Junior College. He lived in Panama for 19 years and taught English to Panamanian children and children of military personnel and diplomats stationed in Panama. Joe’s travels also took him to Costa Rica and Australia, before returning to the U.S. after his retirement. He was a talented writer and deep thinker, always working on a novel that would capture his perspective on life. He was an avid tennis player in earlier years and enjoyed golfing later in life.
Joe is survived by his three children, Cynthia Wilhite of Atwater, CA, Sandra Cheek of Moro Bay, CA, and Kim Joseph Berneche of Morgan Hill, CA. He is also survived by five grandchildren and two great grandchildren, sister-in-law Joanne Zucco Berneche of Columbia, MO, and sister-in-law Sheila McGinnis Berneche of Kokomo, IN.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff and medical professionals of Truman Veteran’s Hospital for their excellent care and support during his illness.
Online condolences may be left for the family at memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com
