Theodore A. Berndt, 89, Coupeville resident, died at Careage of Whidbey on Nov. 10, 2008, due to pulmonary fibrosis and other respiratory factors.
He was born in Sand Beach Township, Mich., on Dec. 14, 1918, to William R. Berndt and Marie C. Reisner. During his young life in Michigan, Ted played violin, maintained a paper route and tinkered in auto mechanics. In 1939, he graduated from Southeastern High School, Detroit. Ted married Lucille N. Jolley, a graduate of Okemos High School.
He worked for a few years at Middleton Air Transport before enlisting. His U.S. Army training and service eventually led to positions of airplane and engine mechanic, aerial engineer, crew chief and linemaintenance chief. After separation from Fort Bragg in 1944, Ted returned to Michigan and soon landed a job with Reo Motors in Lansing. Ted earned a B.S. degree from Wayne State University, Detroit, in business administration. From 1954 to 1997, he was employed by the State of Michigan as head of the Operations Division of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.
He enjoyed playing piano, dining in local restaurants, and going on long walks. He married Debra McManus-Paros (niece of his deceased wife Lucille) in 2001 and lived with her and her son, Ben Joshua, in Bellevue. After Ben started college, Ted and Debra moved to Coupeville to find a more peaceful and tranquil lifestyle closer to Ben’s university. Ted’s mobility during the last few years of life was limited due to pulmonary fibrosis. However, he relished each day sipping his favorite coffee while watching the deer, red-tail hawks, quail, rabbits, hummingbirds and lush woodlands.
Ted is survived by his wife, Debra of Coupeville; sister, Virginia Berndt-McGregor of Warren/Shelby Township, Mich.; niece, Carole McGregor of Mt. Clemens, Mich.; and niece Virginia (Jean) Andrus of Shelby Township. He was preceded in death by both parents, brother, Kenneth R. Berndt, nephew, Brian Berndt and sister, Ethel Berndt-Skentelbury. Interment will be in Glendale Cemetery in Meridian Township, Mich.
Local arrangements are with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., Oak Harbor. Donations are suggested to any of the following organizations: Enso House, 6339 Wahl Road, Freeland, WA 98249, or at www.ensohouse.org; Greenbank Farm, 765 Wonn Rd., Suite #A201, Greenbank, WA 98253, or at www.greenbankfarm.com; Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, via www.syso.org/makeagift; or to Wayne State University Nursing Scholarship Programs, 5557 Cass Ave., Detroit, MI 48202. Family and friends are encouraged to visit www.whidbeymemorial.com and sign the online guest register.
