Norma Jean Berry, 80, resident of Lafayette and West Lafayette for 43 years, died in Farmington Hills, Michigan February 7, 2016, following complications of Alzheimer’s disease.
Born November 13, 1935 in Hammond, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Wilmer and Verna Stivers and the cherished sister of the late Harold Stivers (Mary).
She was married to the late Thomas Berry, who died in 2009.
She is survived by: two daughters, Deborah Brown (Brent) of Florida and Davidia Depowski (Mark) of Michigan; one son, Ronald Rathburn (Wendy) of Ontario, Canada; 1 Granddaughter, Lauren; 8 grandsons: Ryan (Cindi), Daniel, Jason, Matthew(Valarie), Jeremy (Ashley), Nathan(Katie), Colin and Michael(Julie); and 12 Great-granchildren: Noah, Claire, Conri, Cian, Declan, Aiden, Thomas, Madelyn, Emma, Lillian, Leah and Stella. One nephew, Ken, and several great nieces and nephews also survive.
Prior to their retirement in 1996, she and her husband, Tom Berry, were owners of Carpetland USA in Lafayette as well as several other locations throughout Indiana and Ohio. They wintered in Vero Beach, Florida until Tom’s passing and her illness prevented her from traveling.
Tom and Jeanie were avid travelers and they trekked the globe over the 41 years of their marriage. She was actively involved at Bethany Presbyterian Church and assumed many leadership roles in her church throughout her life.
You may pay your respects at the visitation, which will be from 9 – 11 am Saturday, February 13, 2016 in the Williams Room of Bethany Presbyterian Church, located at: 3305 Longlois Dr., Lafayette, IN 47904. (765) 447-2662 / www.bethanypcusa.net. Funeral services immediately following. Pastor Kevin Bowers officiating.
Her final resting place will be at Tippecanoe Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. The family respectfully requests, in lieu of flowers, that a donation to either Bethany Presbyterian Church; Tippecanoe Humane Society; Canine Companions for Independence (CCI); VNA Hospice; or Alz.org be made in her honor.