Barbola Funeral Chapel

Donald E. Cerney

Donald Elmer Cerney, age 77, of Escondido, CA, died on Friday, October 20, 2017, at home after a battle with cancer.

He was born August 18, 1940, in Eagle River, WI, the son of Frank and Beryl Gloyd Cerney. Don was a 1958 graduate of Ripon High School. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1958-1961 as an aircraft maintenance technician, Panama Canal Zone. Don graduated from SDSU in 1969. On February 29, 1976, he was united in marriage to Louise Kumbier Smith.

Don worked as Senior Design Engineer at Napp Systems, Inc. in San Marcos, CA, earning two patents for his company, retiring in 2007. He was a multi-talented and industrious man, able to design, build, or repair almost anything. He built reproduction wall clock cases to house antique clock works, built many concrete retaining walls, overhauled engines, and generally did whatever needed to be done. The most important feature of Don’s life was his relationship to God. Realizing when he was a young teenager that he bore the burden of a sinful human nature, he placed his trust in Jesus, whose death in our place is sufficient for everyone who believes in Him and seeks forgiveness and mercy.

Don is in Heaven now, seeing Jesus face to face, sharing that glorious existence with those who have gone before. He honored God’s gift of life by struggling mightily against the disease that first appeared last December. Don endured 10 ½ months of rigorous testing and treatment without complaint or self-pity, but he ultimately was at peace placing God’s will above his own desire.

He is survived by his wife, Louise; brother, Richard Cerney; sister, Betty Kahl; step-sons, Timothy Smith and Jeffrey Smith; grandson, Nolan Smith; sisters-in-law, Eileen Cerney, Barbara Coe and Eleanor (Bud) Winter; brother-in-law, Larry (Sally) Kumbier; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Gary (Susan) Patterson, Perry (Nancy) Durning and Tom (Kathy) Hunt. Don was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Willard Cerney; mother-in-law, Myrtle Kumbier Angle; sister-in-law, Helen Cerney; and brothers-in-law, Harvey Kahl and Burton Coe.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Grace English Lutheran Church in Berlin followed by funeral services at 1:30 p.m., with Rev. Scott T. Piper officiating. Interment with Military Honors will be in Liberty Prairie Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola Funeral Chapel of Berlin.