Irving “Irv” Berry

Irving John "Irv" Berry, 87, of Jackson passed away Friday, October 13, 2017 at Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born September 13, 1930, in Huntington, Long Island, New York, son of Kenneth Lindsey Berry and Julia Baker Easton. He and Rosemary Sebaugh were married August 27, 1955 at Sargents Chapel Lutheran Church in Sedgewickville.

Irv grew up on Long Island, New York and was a 1949 graduate of Huntington High School in Long Island. He earned an Associate Degree in Animal Husbandry from State University of New York at Delhi. In later years, he earned a degree in accounting.

In 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps, serving two years during the Korean War. In 1954 he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force and went into pilot training. He flew 4 engine transports over the world for 18 years, serving 1 year in Vietnam. He retired as a Major in 1972 with 10,000 flying hours.

Following his military retirement, Irving and Rosemary moved to Jackson. Together, with their children, they farmed the family farm near Fruitland, raising cattle, hogs, and running a dairy operation. He was a member of the Guernsey Breeders Association.

While raising their children, Irv and Rosemary were members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, serving on various committees of the church and school. They later attended St. John's United Church of Christ near Fruitland.

Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Rosemary of Jackson; four sons, Mark Berry of Jackson, Matthew (Barbara) Berry of Belleville, Illinois, Michael (Nancy) Berry, and Kenneth (Elaine) Berry both of Jackson; and a daughter, Julie (Michael) Glaus of Delta; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister.

A memorial visitation will be held Sunday, October 15, 2017 from 12 p.m. to service time, in Chapel B, of McCombs funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The Memorial service will be at 2:00 pm, at the funeral home, with Dr. Rodney Pensel officiating.

In leiu of flowers, the family requests memorials to St. John's United Church of Christ in Jackson, Sargents Chapel Lutheran Church in Sedgewickville, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.