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Jim Berry, 69
Published 12:00am Friday, June 13, 2008James Berry, 69, of Evansville, died Wednesday, June 11, 2008, at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria.
He was born Aug. 15, 1938, in Worthington, the first child of Dolan and Willetta (Jenkins) Berry. At five months of age, Jim had emergency mastoid surgery that could have ended his young life, but God had other plans for him.
He attended kindergarten in Minneapolis, grades one through seven in Worthington and eight through 12 at Evansville High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Force where he served his country until August of 1959.
Following his discharge, he returned to the Evansville area and worked at Downer Aircraft, John Henry Ford and in partnership with his dad in Evansville Auto and Implement Company. In September of 1984 he became a full time rural mail carrier out of the Evansville Post Office and served in this position until his retirement in December 2000.
Jim married the love of this life, Marjorie Wik, on Sept. 15, 1962. To this union were born two children, Deborah and David.
He shared his great love of family, not only with his wife and children, but with sisters, sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews even including cousins in his warm “family circle.”They all knew they could call on him in times of trouble, count on him to cheer them up when needed and surround them with his gentle spirit and strength. He uplifted family not only with his strength and love, but also with his humor — the “family clown.”
Jim served 25 years on the Evansville Fire Department, was a member of Calvary Covenant Church and various church boards, the Douglas County Draft Board and as a firearms safety instructor.
At the time of his death he was working with his wife, Marjorie, and others from Evansville, to assemble a team to participate in the Douglas County Cancer Walk for Life relay. His interests included hunting, fishing, trapping and woodworking among many others. Jim spent many joyful hours playing instruments and singing solos, duets, quartets, octets and choirs. There was seldom a family gathering with Jim that did not include music. He entertained at many secular programs and shared his faith and God given talent at innumerable Gospel concerts.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dolan Berry; great-niece, Elizabeth Olson; great-nephew, Derek Benson; grandparents and all of his aunts and uncles.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; children, Deborah Berry of Asheboro, N.C., and David Berry of Evansville; his mother, Willetta Berry of Evansville; sisters, Blanche (Allan) Tirk of Long Prairie, and Nancy Olson of Evansville; three sisters-in-law, Carol (Howard) Buchholz, Ardis (Marcus) Alvstad and Joyce (Roger) Langlie; and many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Visitation: Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Calvary Covenant Church in Evansville and one hour prior to the service at the school
Service: 2 p.m. Monday, at the Evansville High School
Clergy: Revs. Mick Murphy and Nathan Langager
Burial: Mound Grove Cemetery, Evansville
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Evansville
Condolences may be sent online at www.glendenilson.com
