William E. Berry
William E. Berry, 84, a resident of rural Churubusco, passed away at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, August 6, 2015 at his home in Smith Township following an extended illness.
Mr. Berry was born in Fort Wayne on Dec. 26, 1930, a son of Everette M. L. and M. Bernice (Deem) Berry, and spent his formative years near Churubusco. He graduated from Churubusco High School in 1948 and did additional study in computer programming through IBM.
On Oct. 12, 1952 he was married in Green Center to Rosemary J. Bonar, and spent most all of his adult life in Smith Township, residing at his present home since 1957.
Employed by International Harvester in Fort Wayne for 35 years, he retired as a computer programmer there in 1983. He had also worked as a computer programmer for Magnavox Corporation in Fort Wayne for ten summers. Following his retirement, he and his wife wintered in Harlingen, Texas, for 32 years.
As an active church member, he served as secretary of the commission on stewardship and finance for the Churches of God Indiana Conference, and had served as a church elder, Sunday School superintendent, and teacher. In Harlingen,Texas he was a member of the Park Place Church and served as its treasurer and church council member. He served on the board for Bear Lake Church Camp in Noble County, and had taught classes in computer programming at ECPI and Ivy Tech in Fort Wayne, and also at Park Place in Harlingen for its senior citizens.
He and his wife enjoyed traveling and had traveled to all 50 states, as well as several Canadian provinces, Europe, and had enjoyed four Caribbean cruises.
The surviving relatives include his wife: Rosemary, to whom he was married for over 62 years; his children: Roger E. (Vicki) Berry, Galveston; and Janet (Keith) Ramsey, Churubusco; two granddaughters: Stephanie (Evan) Boggs, Nappanee; Megan (Keenan) Zimmerman, Modesto, Calif.; and a brother-in-law: Joel Weaver; and sister-in-law: Bonnie Zeigler, both of Churubusco.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father: Clarence Zeigler; a half-brother: David L. Zeigler; and a half-sister: Mary Weaver.
The family will recieve friends at the funeral home from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, or one hour prior to the 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, service at Sheets and Childs FUneral Home, Churubusco. Pastor David Tabler will officiate. Interment will be in the Christian Chapel Cemetery, Merriam.
The family requests memorials be directed to Bear Lake Church Camp, Albion.