Richard "Dick" Berry

Beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother-in-law, friend, Dick Berry, passed peacefully on September 20,2014.  Dick was born on December 26, 1937 and grew up in Flat Rock, MI, attending Monroe High School.  After graduating from MSU he lived in the Lansing area for 55 years, during which he built more than 1400 homes.  He started Berry Construction in 1960 where he worked until his retirement. He was currently of Eaton Rapids, Michigan.

Dick is survived by his daughter, Kim and husband, John Smokoski; son, Rick and wife, Karen (Cole); grandsons, Ben and Brian Berry, Ian and Dylan Smokoski; brother-in-law, William Smith and wife, Bonnie of Monroe; sister-in-law, Sandy Smith who has been a wonderful friend and companion; 3 nieces, Stacy, Jill and Jodi; one nephew, Marc; their families and many, many friends.  He was preceded in death by his dearly missed wife Marge, and parents Benjamin and Ruth Berry.

Dick was a lifetime member of Faith United Methodist Church, an avid traveler, especially in his motor home, MSU fan, card player and loving and active grandfather.  His life was also enriched by many lifetime friendships.  He was fun to camp and travel with, he was funny and will be forever missed by us all.  We feel very blessed to have had him in our lives.

The funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday, September 26, 2014, at Faith United Methodist Church, 4301 S. Waverly Rd., Lansing, with interment to follow in Dimondale Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Faith United Methodist Church in memory of Dick Berry.  Online condolences may be left for his family at www.EstesLeadley.com.

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10 Messages to “Richard "Dick" Berry

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Jenni Zatkin
September 23, 2014 at 9:12 am

Kim and family-
I am so sorry to hear this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Know that you are surrounded by love.

-jz

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Randy Kleiman
September 23, 2014 at 1:49 pm

On behalf of Oade, Stroud & Kleiman, P.C., I would like to send our condolences to Richard’s family.

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Carol (Woolford) Sieb
September 23, 2014 at 4:14 pm

I was thinking about Dick a couple of weeks ago and wondering where he was and how his life went. We went to Ash Center school together for five years. He was a lot of fun. I’m sorry for your loss. While he may be gone from this earth you will always have wonderful memories and nobody can take them from you. God’s blessings to all of his family.

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Sue Drake Westover
September 23, 2014 at 6:29 pm

Dear Berry and Smith families. Was very sorry to of Dick’s passing. Please accept the sincere sympathy of all of the Deake family

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Natalie Merrill Louwers
September 23, 2014 at 8:03 pm

I was so shocked to hear this news and wanted to send our condolences to Kim and all family members as we just saw Kim and Dick at my Mother’s funeral service the day prior!! Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Sorry we couldn’t be there as we are back in Maine. Nat and Dennis

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Gary Szwejda
September 24, 2014 at 8:46 am

Dick and Marge were our good neighbors for years. Dick’s friendliness and his insights into home improvements were always appreciated by me and my wife. I will always remember those Saturday mornings in the fall, when he would drive his RV down our shared driveway, on his way to a Spartan football game, playing the Michigan State fight song. He stopped by last May to visit with Deb and me, and I’m so glad he did. We are truly saddened by the news of his death, and we send our thoughts and prayers to Rick and Karen, and the rest of Dick’s family.

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Terry Kleiman
September 24, 2014 at 10:57 am

Rick and Kim-
I am very sorry to hear this news. Dick was a particular favorite of mine and I really enjoyed talking to him. Your dad was smart, honest and fair and a credit to the industry that he loved.

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Anonymous
September 24, 2014 at 8:41 pm

Kim, Smoke and boys and the rest of the Berry family we are so sorry for your loss. Dick will be greatly missed.

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Floreine and Bill Mentel
September 25, 2014 at 2:58 pm

Condolences to The Berry family. Life long friendships are special and Dick was a great lifelong friend and will be greatly missed. The family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Floreine and Bill

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La Chelle Yates
September 26, 2014 at 8:05 am

“Death leaves a heartache that no one can heal, love leaves memories no one can steal.” It is good to know that death is not the end. The Creator has promised that our precious loved ones sleeping in death have the hope to live again, in paradise.
Psalm 37:29 tells us: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” So we look forward to seeing Richard again in paradise. In the meantime we will draw close to our Creator and his son Jesus Christ in prayer, and the Bible promises that “he himself will sustain you.” – Psalm 55:22; John 17:3
Sincerely,
La Chelle Yates
filletmignon31@yahoo.com

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