Thomas A. Berry

Date of Death: December 18, 2009

Thomas A. Berry, 79, of West Lafayette, died at 5:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, 2009, at Indiana River Medical Center in Vero Beach, Fla., where he and his wife wintered.
Born July 27, 1930, in Chicago, he was the late Thomas R. and Lillian F. Meagher Berry. He attended Loyola University and served in the Army during the Korean War.
On Dec. 20, 1968, he married Jean Stivers in Crown Point, and she survives.
Mr. Berry sold newspapers, eggs and magazines as a youngster in Chicago. As a teenager, he followed his father?s footsteps, first weaving and then selling carpeting in Chicago before going to work for Polk Brothers, and later Carpetland USA in Munster.
In 1970, he bought a franchise of Carpetland USA and opened his first store in Lafayette. Before retiring in 1996, he had owned 13 Carpetland franchises throughout the states of Indiana and Ohio.
He was a member of St. Mary Cathedral and enjoyed traveling, golf, boating and snow skiing. An avid reader, he enjoyed music, poetry, dance and politics. After retirement, he taught English in Vero Beach to non English-speaking communities.
Surviving with his wife are two daughters, Davidia Depowski (husband: Mark) of Gibraltar, Mich., and Deborah Brown (husband: Brent) of Cape Coral, Fla.; a son, Ron Rathburn (wife: Wendy) of Kirkland Lake Ontario, Canada; two brothers, Robert Berry of Lafayette and Bart Berry (wife: Alana) of Chicago; and four sisters, Mary Lee (husband: Pierre) of Alma, Ala., Jean Wynn (husband: Joseph) of Brookfield, Ill., Barbara Foley of Oregon and Lillian Smith of Park Ridge, Ill.
Also surviving are 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was very devoted to his family and helping others. He “adopted” several International students, including Angelo Cisneros from Mexico, Nawang Lama from Tibet and Mahesh Mittal from India.
Visitation 5-8 p.m. today at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd., Lafayette, IN 47909, and also 1 hour prior to a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, at St. Mary Cathedral, 1207 Columbia St., Lafayette, IN 47901, Fr. Daniel Gartland officiating. Interment to follow at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens. Those wishing may contribute to: St. Mary Cathedral, Lafayette Catholic Schools or VNA Hospice, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.

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Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.

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Jean and Debbie - I was sorry to hear about Tom&s passing and wanted to offer my sincere condolences. I hope you are both well. My thoughts are prayers are with you.

Best wishes,
Anne Smith

Davi,
We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please know that you can call us if you need anything at all.
Love,
Derrick and Kay Brown

Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.

Sorry to hear of Tom&s death. Our condolences to Jean and the family.

To Debbie and Brent Brown and Family......

I wanted to let you know that you all will be in my thoughts and prayers during the Christmas season. I am sorry that I will not be able to attend Tom&s service; I will be travelling to Indiana by car on 12/23 and will miss this event. Debbie, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the very sad occasion of the loss of your Father.

With love and respect,

John Lockhart

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Jean and Family, There really no words that can express the sorrow that your family is feeling now. Just know that I am thinking of you and your family, especially at the holiday season. Jean please call me if you think of anything that I can do for you. Tom was such a great and generous person, especially with his family. Sincerely, Kathy McCormick

I was so very sorry to hear of Mr. Berry&s passing. I know the last couple of years have been difficult and I hope he can finally be free of the pain and rest in peace. I always enjoyed talking and visiting with him and will miss seeing him.

Warmest regards, Dawn Johnson

I always enjoyed speaking to Tom, when he would call to speak to my former boss, Cindy. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

My condolences to Mrs. Berry for the loss of her husband, and the Berry Family, in particular to Debbie & Brent as I met Mr. Berry at their wedding. May the love of Jesus Christ comfort you as only he can.

Dear Jean, Ron, and Berry family,
This is a shock as I had no idea of Tom&s illness. Seeing the Obit has left me speechless
(who, me speechless?) but causing many wonderful memories of Tom to flow back into
my mind. What a gentle-man! Kind man! Generous man! He fulfilled the American
dream of beginning with nearly nothing and making it into a wealthy, meaningful
business. Beside that, he was contented, not lofty, and a guinely "nice guy". We
were blessed to have had Tom in our lives, if only briefly, but we will see him again
in the mansion in Heaven. Undoubetly Tom will carpet every room! That&s Tom!
Jean, feel God&s arms around you, supporting and caring for you. I know your family and friends will be wonderful to you and for you, but God offers the ultimate peace
and acceptance. Lean on Him! God Bless you all. This is a difficult time, and Christmas will never be the same for you, but you might have "Tall Tales of Tom" to share each year. God Bless you all, Suzie and Ivan

Dear Davi and Family,
Our sincere sympathy to you during this difficult time. It was so evident how much you all loved your Father, Husband, & Grandfather. He was a blessed man who gave his love in return to all of you. You will carry that in your hearts forever.
Love, Linda & Jim

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.