Roy W. Biri

Roy William Biri, 88, of Perryville, passed away Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at his home. He was a devoted husband, a great father and special grandfather.

He was born September 5, 1929, in Perry County, Missouri, to John Henry and Canzada (Loberg) Biri. He was a 1947 graduate of Perryville High School. He and Edna Marie Schumer were married June 12, 1948.

Roy often said, "There is something to learn in everything you do, every day."

He worked in the ship yards and as a machinist at Emerson Electric both in St. Louis. He owned and operated the former Biri's Garage in Perryville for many years, and retired as the garage supervisor for Missouri State Prisons in Farmington.

After retirement, he turned his passion for woodworking into a business. He crafted Missouri hardwood furniture and was known for his custom, high-quality grandfather clocks and hope chests.

Roy was especially proud of his family, bragging about having two doctors and a lawyer among his grandchildren. He often said, "All are educated professionals." He was also proud of his Cherokee heritage.

Loving survivors include his wife of nearly 70 years, Edna Biri of Perryville; five children: twin daughters, Sister Ethel Biri, SSND, of Perryville and Edie ("Mag") Matlock of Columbia, Missouri; Deacon Walter (Linda) Biri of Jackson; Michael (Lisa) Biri of Jackson; and Joan Danley of Dothan, Alabama; daughter-in-law, Sharon Biri of Farmington, Missouri; 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, John Biri; his parents, two brothers, and five sisters.

The Rev. Rich Wehmeyer, C.M., will celebrate a Memorial Mass at 11 a.m., Friday, March 23, 2018, at Our Lady of Victory Church in Sereno. The family will be present in the gathering area between 10 and 11 a.m. before Mass.

The family requests that memorials take the form of contributions to Kindred Hospice.

Cremation was accorded by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.