Berry - Earl
EARL BERRY
Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review 20 Jan 1965 p 1 - typed by Walt W.
Earl Berry, 81, president of the Montgomery Savings Association and former Crawfordsville mayor, died at 6:30 a.m. Saturday at Culver Hospital where he had been a patient only a half-hour. Apparently in his usual health, Mr. Berry had spent all day Friday at his office. Mr. Berry had a long career of public service. He was elected mayor in 1921 and served four years. He was one of the few Democrats even elected head of government. In 1925 be was appointed superintendent of the Crawfordsville Electric Light & Power Co. and was head of the municipal utility for four years. He was elected state representative from Montgomery County in 1932, serving one term in the Legislature. For more than 50 years Mr. Berry was connected with the Montgomery Savings Association. He joined the firm in 1907 as a bookkeeper. At that time Jesse Canine was secretary-treasurer and upon his death Mr. Berry was elected as his successor. He continued as secretary-treasurer until 1953 when he was named president of the financial institution, continuing in that capacity until his death. Mr. Berry also was active in the Elks Lodge. He served as treasurer, exalted ruler and district deputy grand exalted ruler at various times. For 17 years Mr. Berry served as treasurer of the First Methodist Church and at one time was a member of the official board of the church. A life resident of the county, he was born Feb. 4, 1884, at Mace, the son of William B. and Mattie Hunt Berry. He moved to Crawfordsville with his parents when he was 6 years old. After receiving his education in the Crawfordsville city schools, he was graduated from the old Crawfordsville Business College in 1901. Prior to employment by the Montgomery Savings Association, he was employed as a clerk in a law office for five years. He was first married in 1910 to Clara Huffman, whose death occurred in 1941. He was married June 2, 1948, to Helen Coons. The only survivors are the widow and a niece, Lillian Hughes of Lafayette. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Hunt & Son Funeral Home with Rev. Milo Riggs of the First Baptist Church in charge. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may pay their respects at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Sunday.