John A. Berry

John A. Berry, son of the late James and Ella (Alms) Berry, was born May 5, 1926 in Drury, Missouri and passed away September 21, 2010 at the National Health Care Center in West Plains, Missouri. He was 84 years, 4 months, and 16 days of age.

John was raised in Drury and graduated from Dora High School in 1943. He enlisted in the Army/Airforce on his 18th birthday. John was in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He was a Top Turret Gunner, received the Expert Marksmanship Award, and served in an elite bomber unit.

John married Jakie Fowler on September 28, 1953 in Richmond, Indiana. Three children were born to this union. John worked for General Motors in Columbus, Ohio for 30 years. After his retirement in 1978, they moved back to Drury.

John was a member of the local UAW 969. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason, attaining that degree at the Avery Lodge in Hilliard, Ohio, a past member of the VFW American Legion, and the National Rifle Association.

John was an avid outdoorsman, spending many days of retirement fishing and hunting. He also enjoyed taking care of his beef cattle. For several years when he was younger, he enjoyed amateur boxing. He fought in one professional fight and then retired, undefeated.

John was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters and seven brothers.

He is survived by his wife: Jakie Berry, of their home; one son: Jeffery Berry and his wife, Elizabeth, of Hilliard, Ohio; two daughters: Marguerite “Beth” Chawansky and her husband, Dary, of West Jefferson, Ohio, and Joni Jenkins and her husband, Ronald, of Hilliard, Ohio; one brother: Wayne Berry and his wife, Margaret, of Drury, Missouri; five grandchildren: Tara Bryant and her husband, Robert, John Jenkins, Veronica Jenkins, Eva Berry, and Ella Berry; four great-grandchildren: Jacob, Brianna, Noah, and Caleb Bryant; and many other relatives and friends.