Charles Leon Berry (1929)

BERRY, SHARPLES

Posted By: Linda Brittain
Date: 1/30/2006 at 10:24:27

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, December 5, 1929
Page 1

Charles L. Berry Commits Suicide

Charles L. Berry, a former resident of Winterset, committed suicide Sunday morning, December 1st, at his home at 2413 37th street in Des Moines, by shooting himself through the head with a revolver. Mr. Berry, who was 47 (sic 57) years of age, formerly owned a variety store here, on the north side of the square, for a number of years. He was forced to sell his store because of poor health, and they lived on a farm for a while. He and his family moved from here to Redfield, five years ago, and later moved to Des Moines, where they have since resided.

No motive for the act was expressed by members of the man's family, although it is stated that he had been in poor health for some time.

Short funeral services were held at Harbach's funeral home in Des Moines, Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock. They were conducted by the Rev. J. A. Houston, pastor of Mondemin Avenue Church of Christ in Des Moines. Mr. Houston also conducted the services held at the Winterset Church of Christ, Wednesday afternoon, December 4th at 2 o'clock, and burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.

Mr. Berry is survived by his wife, two daughters, Miss Sara, who teaches at Ogden, and Mrs. Anna Sharples of Chester, Pennsylvania, and a son, William Hugh in the home. More details may be found in the mortuary column.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, December 5, 1929
Page 8

Mortuary

Charles L. Berry

Charles Leon Berry was born near Fountain Green, Illinois, May 23, 1873, and died on December 1, 1929, at the age of 57 years, 6 months and 7 days.

He moved to Newton, Kansas, when he was six years old. From Newton he came to Mystic, Iowa, when a young man of 17. While living at Mystic, Charles Leon Berry and Mattie Griswold Doctorman were married on June 24, 1901. To this union were born five children: Anna, Sarah, William Hugh, and a son and daughter, who died in infancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Berry and family moved to Winterset in 1912, and resided there until 1926, when they moved to Redfield for a period of two years. They have resided at 2413 37th street since moving to Des Moines in 1928.

Mr. Berry had been a member of the Church of Christ for 20 years. He was always an active and zealous leader in the church. His ability and consecration as a Christian were recognized by his fellow Christians, for he was first a deacon in the Udelle Church of Christ and also in the Winterset church. In his later years of service in the Winterset church, he was elected to the highest church office of elder and continued to serve in this capacity in both the Redfield church and the Mondamin Avenue Church of Christ in Des Moines.

His religious activity was not limited to the church alone, but he also took an active interest in the good work of the Gideon Band. Mr. Berry was also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Iowa State Traveling Men's association.

Those who remain to mourn his loss are his widow, Mrs. Charles L. Berry, his two daughters, Anna, now Mrs. Robert Sharples of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and Sarah; his son, William Hugh, and his brother, J. A. Berry of Hutchison, Kansas.

Mr. Berry, who was connected with the Republic Paint and Varnish Co. of Chicago, was well known throughout the state. With his personality he made a host of friends who will feel his absence.

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