Steve Berry

John Francis Berry, better known as “Steve,” to friends and family, passed away at his Linn Creek, Missouri, home on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2022, at 91.

He was born June 10, 1931, in Manchester, England, the eldest child of Mary Lilian (Lyons) and Frank Berry. He pursued an apprenticeship as an electrical engineer prior to entering the Royal Air Force, in which he served from 1952 to 1955.

On Feb. 23,1957, he and his former pen pal, Maureen North, were united in marriage at St. Mary’s Church of England in Gomersal, England.

The family emigrated from the United Kingdom to the United States in 1966, returning to England in 1971. In 1974 they returned to the U.S. settling in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, where Steve and Maureen were active as coaches in local soccer clubs. In 2002 they retired and relocated to Linn Creek, Missouri, where word of their compassion quickly spread among the stray animal community whose members often managed to find their way to the Berry home.

Steve was known for his sharp intelligence, good natured humor, culinary creativity (his bread pudding was unsurpassed), and passion for Manchester City Football Club. We are grateful that he was able to enjoy one last World Cup, although the final result clearly was not authored by an Englishman.

His parents and two siblings, Lilian Burns and Ken Berry, preceded him in death.

Surviving to celebrate our memories of Steve are his wife of nearly 66 years, three children, Dawn (Jim) Hall, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Tracey Berry (Raymond Legg), Mexico, Missouri, and Christopher (Amy) Berry, Geneva, Illinois; six grandchildren, Sebastian, Derek, Hayden, Jacob, Lauren and Andrew; five great-grandchildren, Liam, Kodiak, Ryian, Sineca and Azalea; brother, Geoff (Ailish) Berry, Little Haseley, England, and Orlando, Florida; sister-in-law, Denise Berry, Ormond Beach, Florida; and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, January 14, 2023 at St. George Episcopal Church in Camdenton, Missouri. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at St. George Episcopal Church. A reception for friends and family will follow the services at the church.

The family extends our thanks to the staff of Integrity Hospice for their compassionate care.

If friends wish to remember Steve with a memorial, the family suggests gifts to Lamb House of Camdenton.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton, Missouri.