James Nelson Berry

James Nelson Berry, 90, of Springfield, died at 1:00 p. m. on Friday, January 18, 2008 at St. John’s Hospital. He was born September 11, 1917 at the family’s Hickory Hill homestead, also known as “The Old Slave House” near Equality, Illinois to Nelson and Martha Sisk Berry. He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Marydell Brann, also from Equality, in St. Louis, MO, September 22, 1943.

Mr. Berry attended all grades and graduated in 1935 from Equality Township High School. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the U.S.S. Niagara (APA-87) as a Yeoman 2d Class Petty Officer in the Pacific and enjoyed reminiscing about his military service to his family and friends

He retired from the state of Illinois after more than 30 years at the Department of Transportation - Division of Traffic Safety as a safety analyst and also worked at Metzger’s Drug Store in the 1950’s and early sixties.

Mr. Berry was a member and past Deacon of the Third Presbyterian Church in Springfield and was a member of the local VFW and American Legion Post 32. He enjoyed gardening and was known for his beautiful roses, tomatoes and peppers that he shared with friends and neighbors. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

His parents, wife and three grandchildren preceded him in death.

Survivors include his two sons, Michael Berry (wife Nina) and Robert Berry (wife Donna McCracken) both of Springfield and one daughter, Jan Quoss (husband Rev. Albert), of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, six grandchildren, two great grandchildren, one niece and nephew, and one sister, Mary Ruth Arnold of Joliet.

Visitation will be on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008 from 11:00 am until the funeral service at 12:30 pm at Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel. Rev. Brent Mitchell and Rev. Albert Quoss will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.