Russell E. 'Gene' Berry

Russell E. “Gene” Berry, 89, of West Liberty, Ohio, and formerly of the Bell Addition in Huntsville, Ohio, died Saturday, August 30, 2008, in the emergency room at Mary Rutan Hospital.

He was born in Madison County on January 6, 1919, a son of the late Sam and Ola Emrich Berry. He also was preceded in death by brothers, Joe Berry and Sam Berry Jr.; and sisters, Mary Storts and Flora Lou Berry.

On March 26, 1955, he married the former Mary Rutherford in Huntsville and she survives, along with two sons, John S. (Elaine) Berry of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and David M. (Diana) Berry of Charlottesville, Virginia.; daughter, Maryann Metzger of Ann Arbor, Michigan; brother, William (JoAnn) Berry of Belle Center, Ohio; six grandchildren, Gina (David) Tighe, Kevin Berry, Lauren Metzger and Peter, Margaret and Joanna Berry; and many nieces and nephews.

A member of the Hardin County Farm Bureau, he farmed all his life and operated a contract line clearing tree service. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge   #209 in Bellefontaine and the former Masonic Lodge in Belle Center, and was a 32nd degree Mason for 50 years. He was also a charter member of the Lions Club in Woodstock.

Pastor Joe Berry will conduct the funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 4, 2008, at the Kauffman-Eichholtz Funeral Home in West Liberty, where calling hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening. Burial is at a later date in the Fairview Cemetery in West Liberty.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Logan County Cancer Society. Condolences may be expressed at eichholtz@embarqmail.com