Richard L. “Dick” Berry, Sr., 92, of Fountain City, passed away on Tuesday morning, June 7, 2022, at Reid Health.
Dick was born in Richmond, Indiana on May 2, 1930 to George & Jessie Tice Berry. He was a 1948 graduate of Fountain City High School. Dick was a graduate of the Indiana Business College and received his first job offer from Lathrop Hatchery two weeks before graduation.
Dick enlisted in the US Army in 1952. He served in the Korean War, where he received the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean Service Medal with one bronze campaign star. He received his Honorable Discharge as a Sergeant in 1954. Dick farmed and operated George Berry & Son, a gravel business, with his father. He later went to work as a brick mason for Barker’s Fireplace Shop before becoming self-employed as a mason, establishing Dick Berry Masonry. He finished out his working life in the Maintenance Dept. at Richmond State Hospital, from where he retired.
Dick was a member of the former Fountain City Friends Meeting. He was a longtime member of the Fountain City Fire Department, formerly serving as Chief, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 50 years. He also served a term as New Garden Township Trustee He was a longtime NASCAR fan and enjoyed watching football, baseball and golf.
Dick will be missed by his son, Rikk Berry; grandson, Rickk Berry; sister, Barbara Barker Jenkins & husband, Phil; and nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 55 years, Sarah J. Killen Berry, who passed away on Aug. 31, 2004.
Funeral services for Dick will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, June 11, at the Smith-McQuiston & Webster Funeral Home, 321 US 27 South, Fountain City. Interment with military rites was in Willow Grove Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are encouraged for the American Cancer Society, 5635 West 96th Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46278 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 50 E. 91st St., Suite 50, Indianapolis, IN 46240.