Click to view funeral Services for John Henry Berry III

Mr. John Berry has entered into rest on March 12, 2022. Please feel free to Leave a condolence for the family.

John Henry Berry III "Johnny" was born on August 13, 1942 in Remus, Michigan. He was the first-born of John Henry Berry Jr. and Maxine (Norman) Berry. The day after his first birthday he was gifted a baby brother, then the day after his 3 ^rd birthday another brother. Known as the Berry Boys (Johnny, Jerry, and Jeffery) they always celebrated their birthdays together.  They were lifelong best friends. Their sister, Linda joined the pack a few years later.

John grew up on a farm in Mecosta. He applied the work ethic he learned from growing up on the farm to all he did. John graduated from Mecosta High School in 1960. He loved to tell people he graduated 18 ^th in his class (out of 18 students). He attended Michigan State University for 1 year prior to joining the Army in 1961. He served for 3 years and spoke fondly of his time in Germany. Honorably discharged in 1964, he returned to Michigan State University.

At Michigan State University he met and married Virginia "Ginger" Johnson in 1965. To this union three children were born, John, Pamela, and Lindley.  John started working at Fisher Body in Lansing in 1965. He moved up from working on the line, to supervisor, to Employee Relations and lastly as the Assistant Director of Labor Relations. Strongly believing in education, John returned to Michigan State University in the early 1980's receiving both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. He would often tell stories of his trip to China as one of the highlights of getting his Master's.  After working at GM for 35 years, John retired in 2000. He truly BLED MSU and GM, through and through.

John and Virginia divorced in 1983. Although divorced, they remained friends until the end. In 1986 he married Marie "Cookie" Woodford. He gained a son, Joseph Hyche in the union. Marie and John were married for 35 years at the time of his death. Marie was truly a dedicated and loving companion.

John loved country music, the blues, Westerns, war movies and his cowboy boots. He enjoyed singing karaoke, doing crossword puzzles, playing cards, and checkers. He treasured playing Cooncan with his Father-in-Law, Thomas Woodford. He and his brother, Jeffery would get 2 identical crossword puzzles from the newspaper every morning, call each other to know when to start and see who would finish first.   He definitely had a competitive nature.

John gave his best and expected the best from those around him. He was an oral storyteller. Often sharing his experiences and bits of wisdom. He was loyal. He was known to literally give the shirt/jacket off his back if someone liked it. He was funny and loved to see other's laugh.

John took great pride in his Old Settlers Heritage. He loved sharing stories about his great grandfather, Isaac Berry and Mecosta. He always held his family and friends close to his heart.

John delighted in the lives of his 4 children (John IV, Pamela, Lindley and Joseph), 10 grandchildren (Dejohn, John V, Brianna, Joseph, River, Carver, Leo, Ryan, Ellis and Mylinn) and 3 great grandchildren (Jaya, Deaira and Dejohn Jr).

John Henry Berry III departed this life on Saturday March 12, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Jr and Maxine Berry and his brother, Jeffery Berry.  He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Marie, daughter, Dr. Pamela (Lyndon) Williams, sons, John Berry IV, Lindley (Shantell) Berry and Joseph Hyche, brother, Jerry Berry, sister Marguerite "Linda" Berry, 10 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, special friend Archie (Sheryl) Lake, special cousin Preston (Sandy) Bolden and a host of many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.