Stephen B. “Pops” Berry, 66, died Tuesday (December 31, 2013) at his home in Walton.
He was born on December 27, 1947 in El Dorado, Kansas. Stephen was raised in the Peabody Burns area, graduating from Peabody High School. He later attended Pratt Jr. College on a football scholarship. Stephen served in the U.S. Navy during the Viet Nam Conflict, after being discharged he served in the Navy Reserve.
Stephen married Sondra Briar Fleet on August 3, 1974 in Newton, they lived in the Harvey County area. Sondra died on August 4, 2007.
Stephen had worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Hesston Corporation before going to work in Wichita for Case New Holland, working as an assembler until retirement.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed playing competitive softball for many years throughout the area. He had been a member of the V.F.W. and American Legion.
Survivor include daughters Shannan Nickel and husband Cory of Newton, Janet Wentz and husband Barry of Walton, Jill Fleet and friend Len Beck of Wichita, Jackie Curtis and husband Randy of Newton; one sister Elizabeth Mullholan of Fallbrook, Calif.; grandchildren Tyson Hendershott, Brandon & ReAnne Wentz, Adam & Erica Curtis, Joshua Curtis, Kobe Burns, Cooper Burns; step-granddaughter Taylor Nickel; four great grandchildren Abigail Hendershott, Jackson Hendershott, Kaden Hendershott, and Mason Hendershott; and an aunt Jane Loomis Weens of Hutchinson, Ks.
Stephen is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Julianna Loomis Eberhard and a brother John Berry.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday (January 8, 2014) at the Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton. Interment will be in the Highland Cemetery, rural Newton.
Friends may at the funeral home Tuesday 1pm til 9pm where the family will receive friends between 6 and 8.
A memorial has been established with the American Cancer Society and the Wounded Warriors, contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.