Russell E. Berry Jr., MSgt USAF(Ret)

[BLUEHAWK]

Russell Berry Jr. (1943 - 2010)










Retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Russell E. Berry Jr., 67, of Belleville, Ill., born Nov. 17, 1943, in Lake Charles, La., died Monday, Dec. 6, 2010, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, Ill.

Russell was a 1962 graduate of Sunnyvale, Calif., High School. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Master Sgt. Berry spent most of his time in the service in the Pacific theatre. He retired from the 375th Air Transportation Squadron at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. He later worked in housekeeping for 16 years at St. Elizabeth's

Hospital in Belleville, where he retired as a security guard. Russell was a member of Bethany Tabernacle, which later became Shiloh Assembly of God Church. He served as a teacher in the vacation Bible school, where he enjoyed dressing the part of Bible characters. He was a gold card member of the O'Fallon Sportsman's Club. Russell was a friend to all and had no enemies.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Selma, nee Singleton, Neven.

Surviving are his wife of 28 years, Edna Pearl, nee Weeks, Berry, whom he married on April 10, 1982; a daughter, Bethany (Jason) Emrich of Belleville, Ill.; a son, Dave (Stephanie) Berry of Millstadt, Ill.; four sisters and a brother, Nancy (Larry) Miller, Monica (Terry) Oakley, Vincent Neven, and twins, Anita Ross and Annell Cohn, all of California; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Vacation Bible School Program at Shiloh Assembly of God. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at noon Monday, Dec. 13, 2010, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill., with Pastor Mike Biekert officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.

GEORGE RENNER & SONS FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.

Published in Belleville News-Democrat from December 10 to December 11, 2010