Obituary of Louis Anthony Berrena Sr.

Louis Anthony "Lou" Berrena, Sr., 99, of State College, died Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at Harmony of State College.

Born September 28, 1923, in Harrisburg, he was the son of the late Ubaldo and Amelia Mary Magnani Berrena. On June 23, 1946 he married Patricia Ann McCall, who preceded him in death on July 26, 1996. On October 28, 2000 he married Edith M. Lauler, who preceded him in death on July 20, 2020.

He is survived by eight children, Patricia Ellen McCleskey and her husband, Robert, of Mifflintown, Margaret Mary Keyes and her husband, Dennis, of Karns City, Louis Anthony "Tony" Berrena Jr. and his wife, Kathleen, of Gatesburg, Michael Peter Berrena and his wife, Elaine, of State College, Mary Louise Newby and her husband, Paul, of State College, Joseph T. Berrena and his wife, Connie, of Petersburg, Matthew John Berrena and his wife, Marcia of Pennsylvania Furnace and Timothy Steven Berrena of Huntingdon; 20 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Edna Brown and Adeline Smith; two grandsons, Nicholas Peter Berrena and James Louis Newby.

Lou was a 1941 graduate of Penn Harris High School, Harrisburg. He received a BS Degree in Business and Food Service in 1949 from Mt. Saint Mary's College, Emmitsburg, MD. He later received a Master's Degree in Restaurant Management from Johns Hopkins University. He served in the United States Army as a Sergeant Major Paratrooper from 1943 until 1966. Lou was a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge. He was the recipient of many military awards.

He retired in 1984 after 34 years of service as the Manager of Food Services for the Hetzel Union Building "HUB" at Penn State University. After retirement from Penn State, he became the Head of Food Services at Bucknell University and then became a part-time bartender at the Adams Apple at The Tavern Restaurant.

Lou was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. He was also a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a lifetime member of the VFW Post 721, State College.

Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m., on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College.

Memorial Mass will be at 10 am on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, with Father George Jakopac officiating.

A private interment will be held at Centre County Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College PA 16801.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.