Howard Berry

Howard A. “ Howie” Berry passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, March 24.

Howard was born in Scobey on Sept. 27, 1932. Howard was the youngest of six children, born to Howard G. and Adele “McCauley Berry. His father was a flour miller in the family business and later a grain buyer in Conrad for Greely and Cargill elevators. Howie spent much time at the elevators checking the grain bins for his father.

He graduated from Conrad High School in 1950 and while in school played taps for many Veterans’ services. After graduating he helped build Sunburst Mustard Elevator in Sunburst, and later Schultz Lumber Co. where he was employed until he entered the Armed Services in 1952. He became a teletype operator and instructor serving in San Louis Obispo, Calif., and Fulda, Germany, near the Russian border.

In 1954 he married his soul mate, Mary Lee Eppe, and to this union four children were born. While in Conrad, he was a volunteer fireman for 15 years, a member of the Moose Organization and served on the Board of St. Michael’s Parish. He owned Berry’s Greenhouse and Floral until moving to Whitefish in 1969.

He loved the mountains and beauty of Whitefish Lake where he spent many hours fishing in the summer and winter. He loved to dance and ice skate, learning at age 2 with his father on the river in Scobey. He owned Valley Vending for 10 years and was a salesman at The Toggery in Whitefish for 13 years and was later employed by the Whitefish Credit Union until retirement. He was a jack-of-all-trades and could fix nearly anything.

Howard is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Lee Berry, and four children, Jill M. Berry, Jennifer L. Marvin, Joe M. and Shelley Berry, and Jim C. and Angie Berry. Grandchildren, Josh Marvin, Jessica Berry, Joe P. Berry, Jacob Berry, Jade Berry, Angie Febbo and Dustin Marvin. Great-grandchildren, Chloe Marvin, Kayla and Bryon Marvin, Jackson and Travis Febbo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters and one brother.

Cremation as taken place and a memorial service will be Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m. at Austin Funeral Home. Memorials may be giving in Howard’s name to “Wings” or the Humane Society.

Arrangements entrusted to Austin Funeral Home.

You are invited to go to www.austinfh.com to offer condolences, share memories and view Howie’s tribute wall.