GEORGE LERNO Obituary

GEORGE JOSEPH

LERNO

Oct. 25, 1926 – July 10, 2024

Our dear father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and husband of Clemence Victoria Lerno, went to be with our Lord on July 10, 2024. George was born on October 25, 1926, to Paul and Zulma Lerno in Los Alamitos, California.

George grew up in Orange County, California, attending elementary and high school in the area. His siblings included sister, Valentine and brothers, Alphons, Louis, and Emil. He was proud to serve our country in the Merchant Marines and in the Army during World War 2. Upon returning after the war, he fell in love with and married Clemence Victoria Baeyens at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Anaheim, California on June 29, 1948. Together, they moved to El Centro in 1949 to farm. This would be his life's work for more than 50 years. He and his brother, Emil, formed Lerno Brothers Farms and farmed together for most of that time. George loved farming and he was a perfectionist in doing so.

George's faith, family and friends were equally important in his life. He was a life long member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in El Centro and was instrumental in the fundraising for their new church. He was also a board member for St. Mary's Catholic School during his children's years there in elementary school. As a husband, father, friend and employer he was generous and caring to all. He and Clemence shared 75 years of love together before her passing in January of this year. They enjoyed traveling together and went to Hawaii and Alaska. He also loved family vacations to Orange County in the early years and beautiful, Lake Tahoe, Nevada for 45 years. George was a wonderful father and he thoroughly enjoyed all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The whole family went to mom and dad's house for almost every holiday and could be found together for every, single one. He believed in family and we were and remain very close. He also had many, many farming friends. Many of those friends joined him every morning for coffee and farm talk at Junior's Cafe. He loved to talk farming and was an inspiration to those younger than himself. He was an extremely hard worker his whole life and he was loved and respected by all.

George is survived by his children: Sheryl (James) Green, Linette (Ralph) Taylor, Diane (Doug Russel), Valerie Romeo, and George Lerno Jr. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Kimberly Green Wavra (Spencer), Keith Green (Racheal), Kelley Green Marmolejo (Juny), Kraig Green, Brian Taylor (Lauren), Jason Taylor (Cheyenne), Lynessa Taylor Matlick (Todd), Bradley Goff, Nicholas Goff, Shane Goff (fiance Denise), Michael Romeo, Melissa Lerno Snyder (Colt), Mallorie Lerno Davis (Russell), Megan Lerno, and Maci Lerno Arnold (Chase); greatgrandchildren include: Nathan Wavra, Sophia Wavra, Jake Green, Alex Green, Lucas Marmolejo, Bella Marmolejo, Ben Taylor, Blakely Taylor, Beau Taylor, Broc Taylor, Troy Taylor, Reese Taylor, Kyle Matlick, Ryan Matlick, Camden Snyder, Brody Snyder, Stetson Snyder, Braiden Davis, and Brant Davis.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers and nurses who faithfully cared for and loved George: Martha, Maggie, Diana, Adriana and all the many others including those from Hospice.

Donations may be made in George Lerno's name to St. Mary's Catholic Church, The American Heart Association or The Skin Cancer Foundation.

Funeral services will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in El Centro on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m., followed by funeral mass at 10 a.m.