Jack E. Berner Jr.

Jack E. Berner Jr.
Died December 12, 2025
LONG LAKE TWP - Jack Edwin Berner Jr., 82, of Long Lake Township passed away Friday, December 12, 2025, at Meadow Valley Assisted Living.
Jack was born December 18, 1942, in Kalamazoo, the son of Jack E. Berner Sr. and Donna (Lake) Berner. On April 20, 1968, in Kalamazoo he married Patricia Joan (Pietrzyk) Berner who preceded him in death on January 31, 2024.
Jack attended University High School in Kalamazoo. In high school, Jack was involved in sports including basketball, baseball and football. Afterward high school, Jack served his nation as a member of the U.S. Navy. During his time in the Navy, he traveled to many interesting places, highlighting the Caribbean docking points. At one point, as he was hanging off a naval ship, someone asked if anyone had any typing experience. Jack responded, "I do!", and thus began his introduction to an accounting and an accounts payable vocation. After the Navy, he spent a professional career as an accountant and a UAW member with General Motors Corporation in Kalamazoo, MI until his retirement.
Jack was an avid biker and toured all across the United States and New Zealand with various organized biking groups. Wherever he lived, he prioritized biking. He and his wife spent much time riding the tandem on various tours as well as around Austin Lake in Portage, MI. Jack was an athlete and structured his days around working out in his home gym and riding his bike to neighboring towns. His children have memories of his wife dropping him off in Mesick on the way up north from Portage, where he proceeded to ride the rest of the way to Traverse City-always getting the miles in! Jack was not one to miss an annual Tour de France, Tour of Spain, Santos Tour Down Under, Tours of the Alps, amongst others races on TV. Jack was an avid reader of written works by Jim Harrison, Michael Delp, Dan Gerber, Larry Watson, Thomas McGuane, Richard Ford, Peter Matthiessen, Wendell Berry, and Rick Bass. Russell Chatham, an artist whose paintings adorn many of Jim Harrison's novel covers remained his favorite artist.
While living on Austin Lake in Portage, MI, Jack utilized the water with his ski and pontoon boats. His grandchildren recall many adventures in the aluminum rowboat.
Jack was always a hands-on and devoted grandfather to his cherished grandchildren. Jack could always be relied upon to put one of the grandchildren to sleep in the Archie Bunker chair. He also enjoyed teaching them how to fish and ride his tandem road bike.
Jack is survived by his two sons, Jack E. (Jennifer) Berner III, Matthew J. (Sarah) Berner; three sisters, Susan Leversee, Jill Rynd, Julie (Gary) Mattison; and four grandchildren, Maxwell Berner, Sophie Berner, Olivia Berner and Luke Berner.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jack Berner Sr and Donna Ramer, and his brother-in-law, Rod Leversee.
The family is deeply grateful for the support of Comfort Keepers, Hospice of Michigan and Meadow Valley Assisted Living.
Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of life service will occur at a later time.
Memorials may be directed to Norte Youth Cycling.
Please share condolences and memories with Jack's family at www.martinson.info.
Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.