Arlene R. Berndt

Arlene R. Berndt, 75, Port Clinton, OH, passed away on June 30, 2018 at 5:50 PM at the Otterbein North Shore, Marblehead, OH after a short struggle with cancer. Born Sept. 17, 1942 in New Brunswick, NJ to Michael & Regina (Gerek) Rosta, Arlene spent her early life in Highland Park, NJ and graduated from Highland Park High School in 1961. After graduation she was a contestant in the Miss Highland Park Pageant, attended Upsala College, and was a graduate of Drake Business School. Arlenes professional career began at Squib Pharmaceutical Co. where she worked on an IBM data system. After a short layoff from Squib, she took her knowledge to Merck & Co. Pharmaceutical Co. where she became the secretary & administrative assistant to the Director of International Library Research. She took tennis lessons, rode her bicycle with her best friend Barbara and played softball. She met her husband, Paul Berndt, at Merck. In 1978 they transferred to Calgon in Catlettsburg, KY and were married Nov. 3, 1979 in Wise, VA. Arlene loved Kentucky with the slower pace, farm animals, and the beauty of nature. Weekends and holidays were spent exploring the back roads and attending local events. Antiques and furniture were collected. Like everywhere, she gathered good friends and introduced Chicken Paprikash to the area. In 1982, Arlene & Paul transferred back to Merck in NJ. Arlene went to work for a marketing group as their administrative assistant. She loved to tend the flowers around the house and spend time with her family. They spent time in New York City at the art museums, opera and just roaming the many diverse neighborhoods. She took early retirement in 1993. In 2003, Paul retired and they moved to Port Clinton, OH where they made good new friends and explored the area. During the time in Port Clinton they made trips to England, out west and Florida. Like Kentucky, she appreciated the leisurely pace, boat rides, seeing Eagles and relaxing on the deck overlooking Sandusky Bay. In September of 2016 she suffered a stroke, started rehab and worked hard to recover. In May of 2018 she was diagnosed with incurable cancer and after four weeks in the tender care of Otterbein North Shore & Stein Hospice, and surrounded by her family she passed peacefully. She is survived by her mother, Regina Rosta, brother Michael Rosta, husband Paul Berndt, all of Port Clinton, niece Sara Rosta, Washington DC, nephew Mark Rosta, Port Clinton, OH. Brother in Laws: Larry (Martha) Berndt, Craig Berndt, Curtis (Carla) Berndt & Terry (Lori) Berndt. Nephew Mathew (Kadie) Maier, Summer (Leith) Knight. Many cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, Michael F. Rosta and brother in law, Jeffrey Berndt Visitation will be held Saturday, July 7, 2018 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 1124 Fulton St. Port Clinton, OH. In lieu of flowers, Arlene would like donations to the American Cancer Society, Otterbein North Shore or Stein Hospice. She also would want you to tell your loved ones that you love them because you can never tell them enough. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckerleveckcrosser.com Funeral Home: Neidecker-LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home - Port Clinton Chapel 1124 Fulton Street Port Clinton, OH US 43452