Obituary of Lyle BERNIKLAU

Lyle Lloyd Berniklau passed away on Friday August 6, 2010 in Lake Havasu City at the age of 60. Lyle was born on August 6, 1950 in Burbank, California to Emmanual and Lois (Madigan) Berniklau.Lyle was raised in Chula Vista, CA. Following graduation from High school, Lyle was drafted into the United States Army, proudly serving his country from June 23, 1970 until January 17, 1972. On June 2, 1972 Lyle married Audrey Mae Mulder and they lived in the Chino, Chino Hills and Alta Loma area.Lyle became an expert in engines and high performance, specializing in Volkswagen and Porsche and was owner/operator of Lyle's VW and Porsche in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. He raced for many years on the Southwest VW Drag Racing Circuit with his VW turbo dragster and his VW pro stock car. He also did his share of sand drag racing. When he wasn't racing, Lyle was a founding partner in Rancho Performance Transaxles in Anaheim, CA.In 2004, Lyle and Audrey moved to Lake Havasu City and Lyle continued working on transmissions, rebuilding Mendeolas. Lyle was passionate about rebuilding muscle cars and all types of Volkswagens from the ground up. Several of these "works of Lyle" sold at various Barrett-Jackson auctions.Lyle was a man of God. He was a big man and his personality was bigger. He shared the Lord "Lyle's way" with everyone he met.Lyle is survived by Audrey, his loving wife of 38 years; son Benjamin Lloyd Berniklau of Riverside, CA; Audrey's mom Martha Mulder, who Lyle affectionately called "Mama"; eleven brothers-in-law and twelve sisters-in-law, 44 nieces and nephews, ten grandnieces and grandnephews as well as a myriad of wonderful, longtime, priceless friends who he met everywhere he went. Among them were his Harley friends, Glamis friends, racing friends, school friends, California friends, Calvary Baptist Church friends, Havasu friends and his garage friends who would come over and talk and encourage Lyle as he worked.Being a man of God, Lyle lived by the following passage from 1 Thessalonions 5:16, 17, 18: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus".A celebration of Lyle's life will be held on Saturday August 14, 2010 at 2:00 PM at Calvary Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, Lyle would be honored by donations in his name to Calvary Baptist Building Fund, 1605 S. McCulloch Blvd., Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406.Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.comArrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.