James Willard Berry, 90, of Dowagiac, passed away at his home on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, surrounded by his loving family.

James was born July 3, 1920, to the late Murney and Elva May (Mattison) Berry. He was one of nine children in the Berry household.

James enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he proudly served for 39 months as a night time Jeep messenger, delivering messages from company to company.

He met Neva Frisbie at a polka lounge where he played guitar in a three- piece orchestra. On Dec. 10, 1943, they married in Newberry, Mich. Together they had seven wonderful children.

After working hard for most of his life, James retired. His family was his number-one priority in life. He would do anything to make them happy, especially his wife.

James enjoyed telling his family and friends all about his fishing trips with his buddies and stories from his time in the war. He also had a well-tended to vegetable garden he loved taking care of while leaving the flower garden to his wife.

He is preceded in death by: his parents; son, James Berry; daughter, Janice Hall; and siblings David Berry, Louella LaFave, Merna Anderson, Blossom Hoffman, Patricia Childs and Mary Short. James is survived by: his wife of 66 wonderful years, Neva; children, Kenneth Berry of Dowagiac, Daniel Berry of South Bend, Ind., Michael Berry of Dowagiac, Yvonne Weston of Niles and Annette Heron of Dowagiac; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and siblings Carl (Helen) Berry of Newberry and Wayne Berry of Sanford.

Visitation will be  Friday, July 23, at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel, beginning at 10 a.m. with funeral services starting at noon. Pastor Shane MacIntosh will be officiating. Memorial donations may be made in James’ memory to the Disabled Veterans Fund. Condolences, photos and memories may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services and Mission Hills Memorial Chapel, both of Niles.