Jesse Stansell Berry

Jesse Stansell Berry 79, of Imbler went home to be with his Lord and Savior on June 17, at a local care center.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, June 21, 2004 at 3:00 p.m. at the Summerville Cemetery Chapel with Pastor Irwin Smutz officiating. Interment will follow at the Summerville Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Jesse Jr. was born January 19, l925 on the family farm near Imbler. He lived 74 years of his life on that farm. He was the second son of Jesse William and Ivy May (Williams) Berry and the first baby born in Union County in 1925.

He attended Imbler Public School before leaving high school in 1943 to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII. He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater as a scout, and attributed his survival during the war to a guardian angel. He received a medal for expert rifleman, ribbons for American Theater of War, three stars for Asiatic Pacific and one star for the Presidential Unit. He completed high school after an honorable discharge from the military in 1945.

On September 1, 1946, he married Lottie Jean Hill in La Grande, Oregon. He farmed their small farm and worked as a logger for thirty-eight years. He is remembered for his dimpled smile and fun sense of humor. He loved to hunt and took great pride in teaching his children and grandchildren the skills required to be a good marksman and hunter. He was one of the first hunter's safety instructors in Imbler and taught many youngsters gun safety and sportsmanship through the years.

Jesse had strong convictions on the importance of being a good neighbor and lending a helping hand in time of need. He was very proud of his service to his country and felt a strong camaraderie with other veterans.

He was a charter member of the Imbler Christian Church and held life memberships to the Disabled American Veterans, National Rifle Association and La Grande Gun Club. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association I.L.A. and Mt. Harris Sportsman's Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jesse and Ivy and brother John Berry.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lottie Jean Berry, his son Bryce and wife Kerma Berry all of Imbler, daughter Susie and husband Doug Romer of La Grande and daughter Trisha and husband Bruce Babcock of Kalispell, Montana, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Imbler Christian Church or the Grande Ronde Hospital Home Health Hospice.