Linda Berry

Linda Rachel Berry Champaign - The Rev. Dr. Linda Rachel Berry of Champaign passed away Wednesday (Nov. 12, 2025) surrounded by her loved ones. Rachel was born in Fort Wayne, Ind., the daughter of Imogene Owen Berry. She earned a bachelor's in psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1971. Rachel went on to earn a master of divinity from Garrett Evangelical Seminary and was ordained in the United Methodist Church (UMC) in 1979. She served congregations in Chicago, where she met her husband, the Rev. John Kraps. After their wedding, Rachel and John moved to California, where they pastored churches in the California-Nevada conference for many years. Rachel earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology while raising three children and pastoring a church. Rachel's passion for youth ministry and commitment to inclusivity had a lasting impact on the lives of many young people. During her time at Good Samaritan UMC in Cupertino, Rachel was known for directing elaborate and joyous Christmas plays and for organizing an annual Celebration of Diversity. In 2001, Rachel and John moved to Harrisburg to care for Rachel's surrogate mother, Virginia, after her husband Sam's death. While in Harrisburg, Rachel taught psychology at Southeastern Illinois College and served as interim pastor at Harrisburg UMC. In 2007, John and Rachel moved to Champaign, where Rachel served as interim pastor at Mt. Vernon UMC until retiring in 2014. Rachel brought beauty to her surroundings wherever she went. She was a talented garden designer and renowned horticulturalist. Rachel was a great lover of music. She played and taught herself the piano, violin, mandolin, dulcimer and guitar. Rachel enjoyed training her dog, Happy, together with her daughter Rachel Rebecca and granddog, Ruby. She won titles in agility, obedience and rally. Rachel was an avid traveler and camper. She and John crisscrossed the country in their RV. Rachel had a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ. She was known for her bright spirit, energy, enthusiasm and kindness. Her presence will be most missed at Christmas, which she deeply loved and went to great lengths to make a special time for everyone around her. Rachel was preceded in death by her mother, Imogene Owen Berry; sister, Susan Goehner; and uncle, Sam, and aunt, Virginia Barter. Rachel is survived by her loving husband, John Kraps; children, Imogene Heindel Berry (Eric Heindel), John Thigpen-Kraps II (Elizabeth Thigpen-Kraps) and Rachel Rebecca Berry (Ryan Blackman); and grandchildren, John Heindel, Violet Heindel and Hannah Thigpen-Kraps. Visitation will be at Wesley UMC, Urbana, on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 10 a.m. followed by a celebration of life at 11 a.m. A reception will immediately follow at the KrapsBerry residence. Flowers may be sent to Wesley UMC, 1203 W. Green St., Urbana. Memorials may be sent to Mt. Vernon UMC, 2201 CR 900 East, Champaign, IL 61822; or Grace UMC, 400 Field Ave. East, Venice, FL 34285. Condolences may be offered at morganmemorialhome.com.