James D. Berry III

(1938-2007)

     James D. “JD” Berry III, 69, of 21139 Cashup Rd., Pleasantville, died at 6:20 a.m. Friday, Nov. 16, 2007, at his residence.  Born Aug. 20, 1938, in Oil City, he was the son of the late James D. Berry, Jr., and Helen Holst Berry.  He was a graduate of the Hill School in Pottstown and earned a degree in agriculture from Penn State.

     Mr. Berry was a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict.   He served in the U. S. Navy as a naval pilot and flight instructor for six years.  He served in Europe, Pensacola, Fla., and Mississippi before being honorably discharged.  Mr. Berry was an accomplished businessman.  In 1961 he was admitted as a partner to the family’s farming venture known as Windy Hill Farms and was a principal in the operation of Windy Hill Machine, Professional Aviation Services, Hogan’s Palace and The Drake Mall, all of Titusville.

     He retired as an executive vice president of Quaker State Oil Corporation on Aug. 1, 1993, with 26 years of diligent and faithful service.  He was also the chairman and C. E. O. of the Valley Camp Coal Company.  Perhaps his sterling achievement and chief identity was associated with the Busted Flush Sporting Clays facility in Titusville, which he birthed, owned and operated for the past 17 years.

     Mr. Berry was a member of the Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Association, National Sporting Clays Association, North American Fishing Club, Titusville Elks Lodge # 264, and the Moose Club.  He was an avid outdoorsman whose passion was hunting for woodcock and grouse over the dog.  He also fished Lake Erie extensively for perch and walleye, operating out of the Conneaut Harbor in Ohio.

     Surviving are two children, James D. Berry IV and his wife Emily of Loveland, Ohio, and Ann Kosche and her husband Steve of Collierville, Tenn.; five grandchildren, Michael J. Berry, Richard J. Berry, Laura D. Berry, Matthew S. Kosche and David J. Kosche; one sister, Linda Steinbuhler and her husband David of Titusville; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Mr. Berry was preceded in death by a brother, Michael T. Berry.

     A memorial service will be conducted with full military honors and rites at the Busted Flush (5-Stand Field) at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7.  Those attending are asked to dress appropriately for the weather conditions.  Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and/or the Salvation Army.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home, 303 N. Washington St., Titusville.

[Source: undated and unidentified clipping]

     Rachel Marie DeMarall (aged 22) of Erie, Pennsylvania, died Tuesday, June 19, 2007 in Pittsburgh following a lifelong disability.   She is the daughter of Vickie Marshall and Douglas DeMarall.  Rachel was born in Erie on July 26, 1984, and she was a 2003 graduate of Erie’s Central High School.  She was an avid hockey fan and a ten-year ticket holder for the Erie Otters—and she enjoyed attending all games, both local and out of town.  Rachel participated in Special Olympics, with a particular interest in snowshoeing.  She also loved winter snow tubing.  She was a participant in the Vision Blindness and Visual Resources Program.  Rachel is buried in the Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery in Erie.

     She is the daughter of Victoria Lynn Marshall; the granddaughter of the late Ralph R. Marshall and Janice E. Praege; and the great-granddaughter of Ralph L. Marshall (1920-1973) and Dorothy Aylsworth (1923-1980).  She is an eighth-generation descendant of our ancestral couple, John Marshall (1761-1806) and his wife Catharina Truby Rohrer (1764-1806).

From Family! (Vol. 3, No. 2, October 2007)