Shirley Jean Berning

Shirley Berning

June 1938 – January 2025

Shirley Berning, our loving and devoted mother and friend to all whose lives she touched, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2025, in San Luis Obispo, at the age of 86.

Shirley was born in June 1938 in Nipomo, CA. She was the oldest of three children born to Chester (Pete) and Minerva Berning. Shirley spent most of her childhood growing up in Oceano, CA. where she graduated from Arroyo Grande High School (Class of 1956). Shirley served as the school’s Drum Majorette during her senior year of High School.

After graduating from High School, Shirley moved to the Bay Area where she raised her family. Shirley was blessed with 3 children, making them her top priority. She worked hard to provide for her family. While raising her children, she embraced her passions for both the arts and her Faith. She was a self-taught cake decorator specializing in wedding cakes. Even though she spent countless hours decorating cakes for others, she would always make time for her family. In addition to her family, she would always find time to serve in her church as she embraced her Faith in God.

In 1999, Shirley relocated back to the Grover Beach area where she spent the next 20 years helping to care for her ailing parents.

Shirley was a stranger to no one and found great purpose sharing in the successes, joys, and challenges of those around her. Her life was a testament to love, kindness, and devotion, and she will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and cherished her. While our hearts mourn the loss, we take comfort in knowing she is now with her Heavenly Father.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Chester (Pete) and Minerva Berning, her brother Albert Berning, as well as her Daughter Jennifer Morrison and son-in-law, Michael Mooney. She is survived by her 2 children, Sheryl Hamilton and her husband David of Layton, Utah and Shon Morrison and his wife Michele of Hollister, CA. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, David and Eileen Berning, 10 Grandchildren, 8 Great Grandchildren with 2 more on the way, plus numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.  

Gravesite services are under the direction of Marshall-Spoo Sunset Funeral Chapel in Grover Beach. Shirley’s final resting place will be at Arroyo Grande Cemetery, where she will have a gravesite service to be held on Wednesday, February 12th, 2025, at 1:00 PM.

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