Richard “Dick” Berry of Warsaw, Indiana went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 6:19 a.m. on Sunday, February 12, 2023 at the age of 77.
Dick was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois to Marie (Elmzen) Berry and Elmer Alfred Berry. He graduated from Carl Schurz High School in Chicago in 1962. He attended Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois earning his Master’s Degree in counseling.
On September 4, 1965, Dick married the love of his life, Janice Diane Sorensen. They were blessed with five daughters and shared the joy of becoming grandparents multiple times. Dick and Jan celebrated 57 years of marriage together and made their home in Warsaw, Indiana for the past 48 years. Dick had a successful career for 41 years as a Sales and Education Consultant for Scott Foresman & Company.
Dick had three loves of his life… the Lord, family and trains. His biggest love was for the Lord. As a long time member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Warsaw he served as a deacon and acted as an influential presence in the church community. He lived out his love for the Lord that extended through his children and grandchildren today.
He dearly loved his family and his role as a Dad and a grandfather. Dick could be found at the softball field coaching his five daughters, on the sidelines of any of his grandkids’ sporting events or cheering on the Chicago Cubs with his girls. His grandkids could always rely on their biggest fan to make every effort to watch them compete or to have a post-game recap.
Dick had a life-long love for all things trains. Through his passion, he developed a network of the best train-buddies who shared many hours together in their craft of model railroading and solving the world’s problems… until nap time. He was a longtime member of the Milwaukee Road Historical Association.
Dick had a kind heart, a unique sense of humor and was dearly loved by his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and a friend to many. He would most want to be remembered for his faith in his Savior Jesus Christ and love for his family.
He leaves behind his wife, Janice Berry (Warsaw, IN); four daughters, Andrea (Paul) Czerniak (Danville, IN); Michelle (Henry) Hernandez (Fishers, IN); Jennifer (Jeremy) King (Annandale, VA); Elizabeth (Alex) Eve (Bloomfield Hills, MI); and son-in-law, Todd (Lissa) Lewinski (Novi, MI). Also surviving are fifteen grandchildren, Ryan, Jake, Kelsey, Caleb, Sam, Charlie, Mallory, Luke, Aaron, Margo, Caleb, Marina, Mina, Kristen, and Katherine; and his sister, Ginger (Howard) Green (Bedford, TX). He was preceded in death by his parents, and his daughter, Kristen Lewinski in 2005.
Dick’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at Fellowship Baptist Church, 1838 E. Kosciusko Drive, Warsaw, Indiana and officiated by Pastor Layne Sumner. Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 10:00 – 12:00 noon at the church. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to Fellowship Baptist Church, 1838 E. Kosciusko Drive, Warsaw, IN 46582.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.
