Mack Joseph Berry

Mack Joseph Berry, 88, of Shawnee, Kansas went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ joining his beloved wife of 60 years, Maxine, who preceded him in death in 2008. He leaves behind a loving family and many friends who will miss him dearly.

He was a lifelong resident of greater Kansas City. During World War II he served honorably in the U. S. Navy in the Pacific theater assigned to a troop ship which participated in the battle for Okinawa and later in the occupation of the Japanese home islands. Following the war he married Maxine Marie Wilson of Kansas City, Kansas, where they raised their three children.

He worked many jobs over his lifetime from auto worker, salesman, deliveryman, and gas station owner and, finally his favorite, a railroad engineer on the Rock Island Railroad where he worked for 30 years.

In 1995, his wife Maxine suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and for the next 15 years he devoted his entire strength and existence to her caregiving. A greater example of sacrificial love has rarely been seen. His love and devotion to her was an inspiration to all who knew him.

He enjoyed learning, always viewing his world with wonder and inquisitiveness. Among his many hobbies were beekeeping, raising birds, tropical fish, gardening, mug collecting, wood carving, and reading, mainly history and biographies. He usually had several projects and interests going at any one time. His innate curiosity extended to a desire to fully understand his relationship with God. He accepted Christ as his savior and was baptized in 1960 beginning a faithful Christian walk he continued for the rest of his life.

Mack was an active member of First Baptist Church of Shawnee, Kansas and its Crusaders Sunday School class until illnesses made involvement difficult. His church family has been a wonderful source of aid and comfort to him, and he greatly appreciated all they did for him and Maxine particularly after her hemorrhage.

He is survived by his three children and their families including, son Michael Berry and his wife Deloris, son Jim Berry and his wife Sharon and daughter Linda Hosch; six grandchildren, Ken Berry, Krista Shurtz, Christopher Berry, Danielle Sierra, Eddie Hosch, and David Hosch; and ten great-grandchildren, Mack Berry, Megan Berry, Michael Berry, Lexi Hosch, Tyrus Shurtz, Sophia Sierra, Ava Shurtz, Mason Berry, Joseph Hosch, and Mark Berry. He is also survived by his brother and best friend Don Berry.

Friends and family are invited to visitation which will be 5pm to 7pm on Sunday, April 12, at Amos Family Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas. Services will be held at 10am on Monday, April 13, at First Baptist Church, 11400 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS.