Anthony Jules Berner, Sr.

   Anthony Jules Berner, Sr., 94, a lifelong resident of Ponchatoula, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 17, 2024, at his home surrounded by loving members of his family. Berner, known with affection by his many friends as either, “Tony,” “Muts” or “Grumpy” (by his grandchildren) was a business and civic leader in the community throughout much of his life. 
   
  Berner was born on Dec. 17, 1929, on a humble strawberry farm on Weinberger Road east of Ponchatoula to Emile and Ethel Bartholomew Berner. Anthony Berner was only an infant when his father passed away in 1931 and he and his two brothers and a sister were reared by their mother. Berner grew up in the Depression years and he and his family learned about hard work and providing for family from an early age. Berner had a newspaper route while still a young boy and later worked loading ice into railroad cars that carried strawberries to markets throughout the nation.
 
    Berner graduated from Ponchatoula High School where he played football for three years. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948 and served for several years. After completing basic training at Fort Ord, Calif., Berner studied mechanics at a base in Georgia and was then assigned to duty on Luzon Island in the Philippines. His tour of duty in the Philippines left a lifelong impression and Berner never tired of telling tales about surviving typhoons and experiencing adventures in a foreign land. He also served a tour of duty in Germany before earning an honorable discharge.  
His early association with the manufacturing of ice and with the refrigeration techniques involved in the business led him to what would be his lifelong occupation, the founding and management of Pon Food Corporation in 1956. He would frequently recount that in the early days he sold frozen food from the trunk of his car initially selling products to stores and restaurants. Over the years, under his leadership, Pon Food grew into one of the largest family-owned distributors of frozen foods in the region. As the company expanded, so did the products that were offered to a growing number of customers. The company became one of the largest suppliers of food and other products to schools and prisons in Louisiana and in neighboring states. Today, Pon Food is a state-of-the-art facility that specializes in the storage and distribution of a wide range of food service products.

    Berner was active in numerous civic endeavors and was especially involved with the Ponchatoula Kiwanis Club. He joined Kiwanis in March of 1968 and maintained his membership until his passing. He served his club as president for three terms and was Lieutenant Governor of Division 13 of the La.-Miss.-W.Tenn. District of Kiwanis International. He attended and participated in numerous division and district conventions and workshops. The Kiwanis Log Cabin, a Ponchatoula fixture for many years, was one of his favorite places to visit where he could spend time with his fellow Kiwanians. To honor his service to Kiwanis and the community he was awarded a George Hixson Fellowship, a prized recognition for Kiwanis members.

    Berner was one of the founders and a continuing contributor to Southwood Academy, a private high school that thrived until the late 1990s. He also supported Ponchatoula High School, especially the athletic teams. In recognition for his service to the business and civic community, he was chosen as King of the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival in 1994 and was the Festival’s Grand Marshall in 1996.

    Berner was preceded in death by his parents, Emile and Ethel Berner; two brothers, Emile “Jake” Berner and Edwin “Buddy” Berner; one sister, Juanita “Weetsie” Berner Blaise; and his first wife, Bonnie Gill Berner.

    He is survived by his dedicated and caring wife of 32 years, Margaret Vaughan Berner; two sons, Anthony Jules “Mutty” Berner, Jr., (Patti) and Michael Monroe Berner, (Robin); daughter-in-law Kandy Wascom Berner; grandchildren, Megan Berner (Justin), Bradley Berner, (Kristy), Corey Berner, (Cally); great-grandchildren, Brooks, Brady, Beau, Jake and Carly Berner; nieces Rose Ann Blaise Husser and Judy Blaise Couvillion (Vic); and nephew Harold Berner (Judy).
 
   Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 22, at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, 100 West Magnolia Street, Ponchatoula, with visitation from 1 p.m. until funeral services at 3 p.m. with graveside burial at Ponchatoula Cemetery.

    Pallbearers are Brad Berner, Corey Berner, Jake Berner, Brady Berner, Beau Berner and Scott Vaughan.

    In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to the following: Ponchatoula High School Key Club in memory of Tony Berner, 19452 Hwy. 22 East, Ponchatoula, LA 70454; to Foundations Hospice, 29937 South Montpelier Road, Unit D, Albany, LA 70711; or to Tangi Humane Society, 46219 River Road, Hammond, LA  70401.