GALESBURG - Patsy Ruth Bond Berry passed from this life 7:13 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2016, at the Care Center of Abingdon surrounded by her three children. Services for Mrs. Berry, will be Saturday, April 2, 2016 at 10 a.m. at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Rev. Jon Sibley will officiate. Visitation will be 9 to 10 a.m. Flowers are permitted or memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Knox College.

She was born Nov. 21, 1930, in Harlan, Kentucky, the daughter of Ona Robinson Bond and Dr. Henry F. Bond. On Sept. 30, 1950, Mrs. Berry married Rush Mitchell Berry, a union that lasted 54 years. She is a graduate of Galesburg High School in 1948. She attended the University of Illinois for two years and graduated from Knox College. Patsy was a school teacher in CUSD District 205 (Galesburg) for 35 years. Patsy volunteered at Cottage Hospital and was a Girl Scout Leader. She was a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. and Delta Kappa Gamma. She was a member of the Illinois Retired Teachers Association. She was a member of Second Baptist Church. She was a Sunday school teacher and served as church treasurer.

She is survived by two daughters, Patsy Michele Berry (formerly Lamothe) of St. Louis, Missouri and Katherine (Kaye) Elizabeth Berry-Gipson of Galesburg; one son, Rush Henry and Lisa Berry of Madison, Wisconsin; nine grandchildren, Isidore J. Lamothe IV (Pete), Patrick M. Lamothe, Josette R. Gipson, Willie L. Gipson, Mitchell B. Gipson, Micaela F. Berry, Megan P. Berry, Matthew R. Berry, and Mya A. Berry; six great-grandchildren; one nephew, Leslie F. Bond; three nieces, Candace Bond-McKeever (Steve), Lou Ellen McElmurry and Roxy Schumann; a sister-in-law, Anita Lyons Bond; a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous dear close friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rush M. Berry; parents, Dr. and Mrs. Henry F. Bond; and her brothers, Charles H. Bond and Dr. Leslie F. Bond Sr.

The family would like to thank Mrs. Berry's caregivers, Brooke Thompson, Mary Stroops, and the Care Center of Abingdon (Garden Court Alzheimer's Unit) for the loving care that was shown and administered to our mother. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Register-Mail on Mar. 30, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Patsy Berry

Sponsored by Hinchliff-Pearson-West, Inc. - Galesburg.

14 Entries

Tammara Quinn

June 21, 2016

Mrs. Berry was a great teacher. She was one that left a lasting memory of second grade. So sorry to hear she has past. I will always remember her and her love for her grandchildren during the cabbage patch years as my mom helped her get a few. Such a wonderful and loving woman.

Mrs. Berry student, Sam Fisk, '83

Sandra Fisk

April 7, 2016

Please accept my sympathy for the death of dear, sweet Mrs. Berry.

She came into my family's life when our son, Samuel Fisk, was lucky enough to be in her 2nd grade class in 1982-83 at Silas Willard Grade School.

Sam had a tough time that year because he was hit by a car when he went after his new soccer ball that a nasty boy had kicked into Fremont Street. This was in the spring of his 1st grade. He ended up with 2 broken legs! He had a new young orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Shepherd (El Rahi). Because Dr. Shepherd had served in the Syrian Army in the 1980's he was very familiar with a new procedure where the legs were set and then reset a week later. Sam did not have to lie in a bed all summer in Traction, but he was in a body cast from his chest to his toes.

The cast came off on June 30th his 7th birthday. After spending the summer swimming and exercising, Sam learned to walk again. And he walked right into Mrs. Patsy Berry 2nd grade room. Mrs. Berry was not one bit phased by this little guy who walked kinda of wobbly and didn't run at recess. There couldn't have been any better prize than this wonderful teacher who loved Sam and all her kids.

Sam is now 6'5" tall and a Registered Nurse.

He recalled how nearly every Friday afternoon, Mr. Rush Berry would knock on the door of the class room that got mighty warm on fall and spring days. He had a Popsicle for every child in Mrs. Berry's class.

He also recalls one day before Christmas break when those 2nd graders were wound up tighter than a tick, and Mrs. Berry opened up the school room window wide, stuck her head out and screamed. Just screamed. He said everyone got very quiet, very quickly, and were sitting as still as a 7 year old can sit until Mrs. Berry softly closed the window and sat down at her desk, smiling at those good boys and girls.

Sam would stop into see his favorite teacher after he got his driver's license. She was always happy to see him.

She was just great!

Lorraine Gottenborg

April 1, 2016

I have fond memories of my years teaching with Patsy.She generously let me coteach with her in her 2nd grade classroom when that strategy became popular. I loved her sense of humor and I learned so much from her. Michelle, Kaye and Rush please accept my heartfelt sympathy. Your mom! Holds a special place in my heart.

Oliver Gray

April 1, 2016

To the Berry Family and Rush my you-all find the peace & comfort that only the Creator gives. She is resting & rejuvenating from her journey here earth so shed those tears for now and when you begin to reflect on the time you shared, just smeark knowing that her spirit lives on in you
Peace be unto you

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Margo Davila and family

April 1, 2016

What a gift from God! Mrs. Berry was beautiful and gracious inside and outside. She was an educator to many children who grew up remembering what she taught them. Surely her reward in heaven will be celebrated with all her loved ones who left this earth before her. May God bless the Berry family with all the goodness of life.

Rachel Williams

March 31, 2016

Michele and family,
May you find strength and comfort in the Lord during this difficult time. You are forever in my prayers.

Gina Lee-Thompson

March 30, 2016

To the Berry and Bond family, you our in our thoughts and prayers.

March 30, 2016

Please accept my sincere condolences. May the love and hope God promises comfort you in the days ahead as you reflect on a life filled with many fond memories

Arthur Ross Wilburn

March 30, 2016

May the Lord's Peace and Prayers be with the Berry and Bond families. And may your pain of loss fade and be replaced with so many good memories , a truly wonderful person.

Pat Young

March 30, 2016

Dearest Michelle, I'm praying for your strength and may the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Love, Pat Young

Karen Preston

March 30, 2016

The Rush family is in my prayers.

Sherry Nelson

March 30, 2016

Mrs. Berry will always be remembered by me and my daughter and son. She was always so kind to my kids she knew we were having a hard time and sometimes she would give my daughter a ride home from Allen Park school. She always remembered us even when she saw us years later. It amazed me that she would ask me how little Chrissy and Danny were doing. My kids and I are all better people because we had the privilege of having a teacher like Mrs. Berry all those years ago.

Naomi Law

March 30, 2016

My condolences and prayers to the loved ones of Mrs. Berry. My mother, Rosella Peters, so enjoyed their time together at the Kensington. They shared memories of the Galesburg of their childhood. I am certain that my mother is glad to see her friend again. May God give the family peace and strength during this time.

Sincerely,

Naomi (Montgomery) Law

Debra De Crane

March 30, 2016

Patsy was so sweet and caring. My family only knew her at the Care Center. My father-in-law Walter De Crane was there and she would busy the other residents so we could visit with Walt when we had the grandbabies with us. She loved to visit with us too. I always spoke. Walt passed away 2 years ago. She is an angel. Sorry for your loss.
Dennis De Crane family

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