Loretta F. 'Rita' Berry

Friday, December 29, 2006

Dec. 10, 1946-Dec. 28, 2006

Loretta F. "Rita" Berry, 60, Greencastle, died Thursday at Mill Pond Health Campus.

Born in Putnam County, she was the daughter of Ollie Merritt and Lucille (Custis) Smithers. She married Keith Berry on May 29, 1964, and he survives.

She was a graduate of Greencastle High School and Harrold Beauty Academy in Terre Haute. She was co-owner of Berry Farms and was a member and assistant treasurer of the Putnamville United Methodist Church.

She was also a member of United Methodist Women; a past member and first woman to serve as president of the Putnam County Fair Board; a member of the Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Services Community Committee, former president of the Reelsville Youth League, and served as the Warren Township Republican vice precinct committee chairperson.

Additional survivors include a son, Brian Berry and wife Lisa, Greencastle; a daughter, Donna Hines and husband Brian, Quincy, Mich.; two grandsons; two granddaughters; a brother, Jim Smithers and wife Carolee, Peoria, Ill.; two sisters, Opal Sutherlin and husband Dallas, and Wanda O'Neal and husband Phil, all of Greencastle; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Ollie Herbert Smithers.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home, Greencastle, with Rev. Valerie Best officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Greencastle.

Visitation is 5-9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244.