Obituaries

Jack W. Berry Sr, passed away in his Maumee home, during the wee hours of Sunday morning, April 28, 2024, with all his children very nearby and vigilantly taking turns looking in on him. He fought a long and hard battle with renal failure but did it on his terms, having made the decision to forgo dialysis, and to let go and let God. And God decided to take our Dad home exactly six months to the day that He took our Mom home. So, our beloved parents are rejoicing in each other's arms once again.

Jack Sr. was born on October 16, 1930, to Mary (Savory) Pringle Berry Stanford and Edward Berry, in Perrysburg, OH. He lived in and attended Perrysburg schools through the 7th grade. After his parents divorced, his Mother moved her 5 boys to Maumee. Being a single mother of 5 children in the 30's and 40's was hard and the family moved many times and the boys often got split up, living with various friends and relatives and for a couple years we're in and out of different school systems.

At one point the family had an apartment upstairs, one door over from Dale's Bar in Maumee. Jack loved to tell the story of how he snagged a job as a young boy, working for Dale restocking the beer coolers and other odd jobs in the bar for a couple quarters and a hamburger.

For unknown reasons, during the end of the 8th grade, Jack moved back to his Dad's, in Perrysburg. But he was determined to continue attending and graduate from Maumee so for the remainder of his high school years, he got up every morning and walked from his Dad's house in Perrysburg to Maumee High School (now Maumee Middle School) and back home again.

He was the first of his siblings to graduate high school, an achievement he always credited to his love of sports, not the love of education. He excelled in sports, lettering in both Varsity Football and Track. He held the school record for Pole Vault, which was significant for that time because the poles were made of an unbending wood, not fiberglass that athletes have the advantage of using in the sport today. Jack proudly graduated from Maumee High School in 1949.

After graduation, he worked as a Drill Press Operator and Trucker for Gendron Wheel Co. in Perrysburg, OH.

Soon after, in 1951, Uncle Sam came knocking and Jack was drafted during the Korean War. After completing Basic Training in Fort Knox, Kentucky, he traveled by ship to Germany and proudly served his country in the US Army in Kitzingen, Germany in the 544th Armor, USAR, serving as a Tank Driver and Gunner, advancing to rank of Corporal. He was Honorably Discharged in 1953, and moved back to his Dad's in Perrysburg, OH.

Soon after coming home, he met the love of his life, Carol Sabo, also of Perrysburg. Ironically, Carol lived with her parents, about 6 houses down the street from Jack's Dad. They started dating, had a somewhat dramatic courtship, then ended up eloping on September 3, 1955, in The Chapel in the Garden in Angola, IN. They had just celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary before Carol passed away in October of 2023.

After they married, Carol's Father got Jack an interview with the company he was employed with and in late 1957, Jack joined the United Glassworkers Local No. 9, (in later years became, Aluminum, Brick and Glass Workers International Union, Local 9) and landed his permanent position at Libby Owens Ford Glass Company, where he worked for 32 years, retiring in 1990.

He took a few years off before realizing retirement wasn't really for him. Then at the age of 65, found his dream job of working in the bag room at Belmont County Club in Perrysburg. He worked there another 14 years and wouldn't have left if it hadn't started taking a toll on him physically. But, boy, did he love that job, the staff, and the members of that club!

He also loved to play golf, horseshoes, and go camping with his family in his 5th Wheel. He was an avid fisherman and was an excellent bowler, having won many league championships, held high game, high series, and high average honors. One of Jack's highest achievements was rolling a perfect 300 game at Interstate Lanes in Rossford. And his perfect game was back in the 80's when perfect games still meant something because bowling balls back then weren't made of the high-tech materials they are today.

Later in life he became a voracious reader of all subjects becoming one of the most intelligent men you could meet. He also loved to do crossword puzzles and won every Trivia Pursuit and Scrabble game the Berry family played.

Jack and his late wife, Carol were 66-year members of Grace United Methodist Church in Perrysburg, OH, where Jack served as an Usher for many years. Church members and friends would line up around the parking lot for Jack's famous BBQ Chicken year after year at the annual Ice Cream Social.

Jack was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Maumee for many years and was a current Lifetime Member of the Maumee Elks Lodge #1850. He and Carol could be seen socializing weekly with friends at the Elks Lodge.

Jack's greatest achievement was the love he had for his wife and four children. It was evident in his selfless ways and the love, respect and adoration given back to him.

Preceding Jack Sr in death are both parents, his beloved wife of 68 years, Carol Lou (Sabo) Berry; Half Sister, Marie (Harold) Shaul; Half Brothers, James Pringle, Richard (Eddie) Pringle,

Robert (Betty) Pringle; and Brother, Duane (Janet) Berry.

Surviving are his adult children, Jack Berry, Jr., Joyce Berry, Julie Berry, and Jeff (Chrissy) Berry; Brothers-in-Law, Richard (Debbie) Sabo and Larry Sabo; Sister-in-Law, Janelle Karsten;

Many Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, Great Nieces and Great Nephews. Also special to Jack Sr are Jay and Pastor Grace Brooks and Pastor Jim Caldwell. And with over a 50-year friendship, Max and Helen Kinkaid.

The Berry family would like to give extra special thanks to Hospice Home Care of NW Ohio, (especially Anita) who made herself available to us 24/7 for questions and concerns and the complete staff who provided exceptional care and compassion to our Dad for almost five months. We don't have the words to express our gratitude.

Visitation in the Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant St., Maumee, will be Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 2-7 pm and Friday, May 17, 2024, from 10 am until the time of the Funeral Service at 11 am. Interment will immediately follow at Ft. Meigs Cemetery, Perrysburg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of NW Ohio or Kidney Foundation of NW Ohio. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.