Berry K. ‘Bear’ Booth, age 70 of Pittsfield, IL passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at Illini Community Hospital in Pittsfield. He was born February 10, 1952, in Pittsfield, IL to Len and Betty Ruble Booth. Berry married Brenda Main on September 24, 1988, in Louisiana, MO and she survives.

 

Berry graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1971 and went to work at Oscar Meyer in Beardstown until they sold to another company. He then began laying carpet for G&W Furniture in Pittsfield. Berry later began working for Bergman Meat Packing in Pittsfield and then began a partnership with Joey McCulloch at McCulloch Auto Sales. He finished out his career in the auto industry as a salesman at Heaton Chevrolet retiring in 2011. Berry was a member of Pittsfield Church of the Nazarene where he enjoyed greeting people as they entered church and loved handing out candy to the children.  He was also a member of the Pittsfield Lake Board where he currently served as President.  He enjoyed taking trips to see Brandon in Lake Geneva and also going on fishing trips to Rend Lake with friends Tom Cawthon and Rick Barton. Berry also took fishing trips to Alaska and Canada and pheasant hunting trips in South Dakota with Fred Ruzich, Jonathon Ruzich, Dennis Wade and Ron Thompson. He enjoyed local deer hunting with Wally Lindsay and rabbit hunting in Kansas with Fred Ruzich, Tyler Ruzich and Ron Thompson. Berry and Brenda also enjoyed trips to Jamaica and Cancun, Mexico. He was a giving, kind and loving man who gave the best ‘bear’ hugs.

 

Berry is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Brenda Booth; son, Brandon Strother of Delavan, WI; brother, Bruce Huffman of Pleasant Hill, IL; sister, Ruth Ann Udell of Naples, FL; nieces and nephews, Melissa Curtis, Jody Polk, Justin Lagemann, and Michael Huelett; two aunts, Pat Ruble and Lollie O’Neill, both of Pittsfield, IL; and several cousins also survive; along with his 16-year-old beagle, Imabelle.

 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Huffman; stepfather, Truman Huffman; father, Len Booth; sister, Linda Miller; and several aunts and uncles.

 

Graveside service will be held Friday, August 5, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Nebo Cemetery and cremation rites have been accorded. Memorials are suggested to be made to Pittsfield Church of the Nazarene. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.