BERRY, Gerald
Source: The Fountain County Neighbor, December 17, 2007, pg A3
LEBANON – Dr. Gerald Herbert
Berry, 72, Lebanon, died at 7:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007 in Hickory Creek
at Lebanon, of natural causes. He was born Aug. 10, 1935 in Hillsboro, the son
of Robert William and Myrtle Lucile (Reath) Berry. He married Marie Alice
(Murfin) Berry April 1, 1962 in Pendleton. She survives. In 1953 he graduated
from Hillsboro High School. He was employed at R. R. Donnelley and Sons in
Crawfordsville prior to entering the service. As a member of the armed forces,
he served in the United States Army from May 1954 through May 1956. Following
service, he studied at Indiana State Teachers College and received a bachelor
of science degree in 1960. He taught mathematics and physics as the science department
head at Pendleton High School 1960 to 1968. He received a masters of science
degree in mathematics from Indiana State University in 1962. From 1969 through
1976 he was a science teacher and science department head at Pendleton Heights
High School. In 1977 he received a Doctor of Education Degree in Educational
Administration from Ball State University. At Monrovia Junior-Senior High
School he served as principal from 1978 to 1980. From 1980 through 1982 he
served as superintendent of the Attica Consolidated School Corporation in
Attica. He taught at Western Boone from 1984 to 1985 and was a substitute in
the Lebanon schools. He had taught in Plainfield for a period prior to retiring
in 1993 after 27 years as an educator. Known as a man of integrity, Dr. Berry
was respected by colleagues in the field of education and communities that he
served. In addition he was self-taught on the computer and was a private pilot.
He received several National Science Foundation Fellowships in the sciences as
well as for administration, nuclear preparedness, and radiological monitoring.
He was formerly in the National Association of Science Supervisors, American
Association of Physics Teachers, and American Association of School
Administrators. He was formerly in the Indiana Association of Public School
Superintendents, the Executive Board of Wabash Valley Education Center, North
Central Association Evaluation Committee, and the National Science Teachers
National Convention Evaluation Committee. He had also been a member of the
Lions Club International. Survivors, besides the wife, include: three sons,
Gerald D. (Dawn) Berry, Linthicum, Md., Gregory H. (Janet) Berry, Baytown,
Texas, and Robert E. (Karen) Berry, Madison, Ala.; a brother, Michael
(Patricia) Berry, Cicero; four sisters, Leta Berry, Port Charlotte, Fla.,
Janice (Russell) Serie, Attica, Phyllis (Larry) Williams, Cicero, and Patricia
(Tony) Griffiths, New Port News, Va., and four grandchildren, Amber Jaggers,
Alexia Berry, Thomas Berry, and Cassandra Berry. He was preceded in death by
his parents and a brother, Eugene Berry. Funeral services were at 11 a.m.
Friday in Myers Chapel of Memories, Lebanon, with Chaplain Keith Phillips
officiating. Burial was in Mendon Cemetery near Pendleton. Memorials may be
made to the Boy Scouts of America, Crossroads of America Council, 1900 North
Meridian St., P. O. Box 1966, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206-1966. Online
condolences: www.myersmortuary.com. – jlr
