John Berry

OAKLAND – John Wesley Berry, 77, of Oakland, formerly of Charleston, passed away Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at SBLHC.

His funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 10, 2017 at the Harper-Swickard Funeral Home with Pastor Tom Skinner officiating.  Burial with military rites by Paul McVey V.F.W. Post #1592 and the Charleston American Legion will follow in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston.  Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Sunday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be directed to the family.

John was born September 27, 1940 at Charleston, son of John O. and Hazel E. (Allnut) Berry.  He married Sharon Lynn Cunningham, December 22, 1962; she passed away March 5, 2008.  He later married Judy Ann (Cunningham) Chambers, May 13, 2009; she passed away May 12, 2016.  He is survived by two children: Jonathan Berry of Charleston and Tammy Irby of Shelbyville, KY; two step-sons: Keith Chambers of Arcola and Curt (Shelly) Chambers of Oakland; one brother: Joe Berry of Giddings, TX, and one sister: Patricia Edwards of Decatur.  Six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren also survive.  He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter: Theresa Defend; and two sons-in-law: Jeff Defend and Steve Irby.

John was a U.S. Army veteran.  He retired from EIU and attended Northside Baptist Church.  He was a volunteer for the Charleston Civic Association for many years.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and NASCAR.  Most of all he enjoyed spending time with family.