Gloria Berryhill

Gloria Cooper Berryhill, 93, of Ceres went to be with our Lord Saturday, February 3, 2018 in Modesto, California. She was born on November 26, 1924 in Jerseyville, Illinois to John C. and Marie (Thrailkill) Cooper. At age five during the Great Depression her family suffered a devastating fire that claimed their prosperous car business. The family moved to California and eventually took up residence in Escalon. Gloria loved to run in school track and worked every free moment she had in her parents’ variety store as a girl. She held many offices in Escalon High School and was active in school clubs and sports. She was active in the Methodist Church with her family and in the Mason sponsored, Rainbow for Girls. She attended Modesto Junior College where she was a member of the Blue Dozen, the school’s cheerleading team. She married Ronald Wayne Berryhill on December 10, 1943 in Pueblo, Colorado on the Air Force base where Ron was training. Gloria later gave birth to their son Larry Wayne in Escalon while her husband flew as a radar navigator in a lead plane in 30 bombing missions in WWII. Ron finished his degree at Cal Berkley and they began rearing their sons, Larry and Michael, on the family farm in Ceres. Ron then served as a captain in the Korean War. Gloria became a member of PTA and Beta Sigma Phi. She used her secretarial education to prepare accounting documents for her husband’s CPA side business for at least a decade and later worked as a secretary for ten years at the Ceres Junior High School. Her salary helped her son Michael attend college and graduate school. Both of her sons also received their Eagle Scout awards. She supported her husband Ron in his many local offices and appointments. She served as a candy striper at Memorial Hospital while her husband served on their board of directors. She was an excellent hostess in the entertainment of social events. She enjoyed playing Bridge and fishing. She was also a wonderful homemaker and cook. She was a fun grandmother who took the time to celebrate birthdays and holidays. She enjoyed going on trips with Ron and friends and family. She was a beloved wife to her husband Ron. They were married for 73 years. He passed away seven months prior to her in July. Gloria’s down to earth common sense, sense of humor, thoughtfulness, and service won her many friends and endeared her in the hearts of her family. She was a great example and friend to all. She is survived by her loving son Michael Clare Sr. and (Francesca) Berryhill, nine grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, her sisters, Elizabeth Osterdock, Jean Factor, and Shirley Randall; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents John and Marie Cooper; husband Ronald Berryhill; siblings Kenneth Cooper and June Heap; and son Larry Wayne Berryhill. Funeral services will be Saturday, February 10, 2018, 10am at Lakewood Memorial Park in the Riverside Chapel. Visitation is Friday, February 9, 2018, 4-8pm at the same location.