Berneice Christine Risley

Berneice was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on December 14, 1923, to Nanette Serena Striebel and Louis Benjamin Striebel. She had one older brother, Vernon. The family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, shortly thereafter. The Great Depression struck in 1929 and hit Berneice’s family very hard. Vernon left to join the military and Berneice began working full time at the age of 13, and continued fulltime work and school through graduation. She joined a small company at 19, rose to the rank of treasurer and helped grow the company into an international corporation. She traveled internationally and was a career woman when she met Clifford Risley Jr., a chemist and graduate student in 1950. It was love at first sight for both of them. They were engaged a week later and were married on December 2, 1951, exactly one year from the day they met. This year would have been their 65th wedding anniversary.

Berneice continued as treasurer for three years until the night before her daughter, Cheryl Lynn, was born. Her son, Clifford Randall, was born nearly three years later, and her second son, Bruce Paul, was born five years after that. Cliff’s career moved the family around but ultimately brought the family to Brookfield in 1967, outside of the Chicago area. Berneice and Cliff remained there until moving to Moorpark in 2003.

As a wife and mother, Berneice actively supported her family in all of their endeavors. She supported Cliff throughout his career, supported her children as den mother, Girl Scout leader, PTA president, and Sunday School Director. Cliff and Berneice were both very active in the Methodist Church everywhere they lived, serving in nearly every capacity. They were in choir together from the beginning of their marriage until approximately 2010, when her advancing Alzheimer’s made it too difficult to continue. Berneice and Cliff also volunteered with the reading program at Campus Canyon School in Moorpark.

Berneice was the soul mate and love of Cliff’s life until the day she died – Alzheimer’s couldn’t take that away from them. She faced her illness bravely with her characteristic sweetness and determination. She will be treasured and remembered for the love she bestowed on everyone who touched her life.

Berneice is also survived by her son-in-law, Steve Bohnert, daughter-in-law, Sue Risley, daughter-in-law, Kathy Risley, and her five grandchildren: Kristen Risley, Daniel Risley, Christine Bohnert, Kelsey Risley, and Benjamin Risley.

Visitation will be at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village, on Thursday, April 7, from 6:30-8:30 PM, and services will be at the same location on Friday, April 8, at 2 PM (doors open at 1 PM).