Pete Berney

William Peter “Pete” Berney was born July 15, 1956 in Atchison, Kansas to Virginia Edmiston Berney and Eugene Sullivan Berney, DDS. His father died when Pete was 6 years old and his uncle, Maurice Berney, became a second father to him. Maurice and his wife, Lillian, lived on a farm, where Pete spent every moment he could. He brought many friends to the farm who came to love Maurice and Lillian as well.

Pete attended Highland Community College and Kansas State University. He worked at The Kansas City Star newspaper in the maintenance department and the print shop for 20 years. Pete then worked as a food vendor for 7 years before retiring.

Pete met the love of his life, Peggy Allen, at Kelly’s Bar in Westport on

April Fool’s Day at 7a.m (after they got off work on the night shift) . They were married three years later at St. John Francis Regis on April 21, 1990. Pete and Peggy were blessed with three sons: Michael Peter, James Patrick, and John Sullivan.

Pete enjoyed listening to a wide variety of music, camping, theater, history, reading, traveling, sports, and scouting. He enjoyed open mic nights and made many lifelong friends there. He was generous in volunteering his time both in community activities, such as Project Warmth, and his sons’ school and sports activities. He was the basketball coordinator at St. Regis for four years. He was actively involved in his sons’ Boy Scout activities from the time they were cub scouts until each of them received their Eagle Scout Award.

Nearly every year since they were married, Pete, Peggy and eventually their boys as well attended the National Flatpicking Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival in WInfield KS. They would camp out for a week, listen to bluegrass music and make good friends.

Pete was bitten by the theater bug when he took his youngest son, Jack, to an audition for a local production of The Sound of Music in 2013. He found himself with a role in the play before he left Jack’s audition, and went on to perform in many other plays over the following years.

Pete was an animal lover. He had several dogs over the years. They brought him countless hours of joy and he spoiled them shamelessly.

Pete had a large extended family and loved spending time with them. He made treks to both coasts for multiple family reunions over the years. He had a big heart and a special place in it for every member of his family.

Pete departed this life on April 25, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Virginia Berney, and his brother-in-law Brian O’Malley.

Pete is survived by his wife Peggy, his sons Mike, Pat, and Jack, and his sisters Ginny O’Malley, Kate Werring, and Margie (Dennis) Sipkin. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews: Timothy (Ash) O’Malley, Megan (Jimmy) Dailey, Bridget (Chase) Carlton, Kaitlin (Richy Villa) O’Malley, Peter (Holly) O’Malley, Mary Kate O’Malley, Anne Werring, Molly (Cort) Creviston, Andrew (Leslie) Werring, Kristin (Brian) Merritt, and Katy (Kyle) Fricke. He is also survived by a large number of cousins.

His funeral services will be held on Friday May 9th at St. John Francis Regis Church, 8941 James A. Reed Road, KCMO. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, funeral mass will follow at 11:00 AM to be followed by a luncheon at the Parish Hall. Interment will follow at a later time

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Imagine That! At www.Imaginethatkc.org St. John Francis Regis Church at www.st.regischurch.com or St. Jude’s Children’s Research hospital at www.st.jude.org