Eric Berry

Eric Berry, 49, of Annapolis, IL, passed away on February 16, 2025. Born on October 14, 1975, in Robinson, IL, Eric spent his early years in Palestine before moving to Annapolis in 1978, where he put down roots and never left. Summers with his grandma in Palestine gave him plenty of time to perfect his ornery streak, a skill he admittedly carried into adulthood. Eric grew to become a man of many trades (and even more opinions). He could fix just about anything, often with a combination of creativity, stubbornness, and whatever he had on hand. And if what he had on hand happened to be gold spray paint, even better—because gold was more than a color to Eric; it was a lifestyle . If it could be painted gold, it was—rocks, vehicles, and even a toilet at one point!

He spent years trucking alongside his brother, Doug, before switching gears to drive the Amish around (a job that probably resulted in a few, let's call them— "interesting" —cultural exchanges). He put in time at E.H. Baare before deciding to earn his CNA certification—mostly because his wife was nervous about doing it alone. After a few years at Crawford Memorial Hospital, he worked as a farmhand until his failing health forced him to slow down—a concept he never fully embraced.

Eric was brutally honest—sometimes too honest—but if you wanted the truth (whether you could handle it or not), he was your guy. He could be trusted with just about anything…except maybe a cupcake. He had a razor-sharp wit, a level of sarcasm that should've come with a warning label, and a talent for storytelling—the kind that made you wonder just how much was true. He could trade anything for anything and somehow always came out ahead, but he had a way of making the other guy feel like they got the better deal. That was his magic.

A devoted husband, Eric loved only one woman his whole life. Before their divorce, he and Cassie were married for 29 years— not 30 (as he liked to point out). A doting grandpa, he was notorious for kidnapping Mason on a moped ride without warning (Jeanee was not amused), taking his grandkids fishing, and making sure they always had what they needed, because when it came to his family, nothing else mattered.

If you needed a quick conversation, you called the wrong guy, because Eric was a talker. A five-minute conversation could turn into hours, with several failed attempts to leave. And now, for the first time, we find ourselves in a conversation cut too short. As much as we joked about his long-winded goodbyes, we'd give anything for just one more. If you knew him, you'll miss him. If you didn't, well—you missed out.

Eric leaves behind his sons & daughters-in-law, Larry & Jeanee Berry and Ruger & Courtney Berry; his grandkids, Mason Berry, Lucas Berry, and a granddaughter on the way, Adeline; and his nephew, Cory Berry, and Cory's son, Hunter. He was preceded in death by his parents, Larry Duane & Cora Ann Berry, and his brother, Doug Berry.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 21st, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson, officiated by Bro. Randy Nave. But be warned: in honor of his lifelong tradition of running late, the service will not start on time.

Memorials may be made to the Hutsonville Booster Club or the Prairie Licking Fire Protection District . Memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home. His cremated remains will be buried in Olive Branch Cemetery at a later date.