Charles Smithman Berry

Charles (Chuck) Smithman Berry, 80, of Conneaut Lake and formerly of Oil City, Meadville and Lewisville, TX died at home Tuesday, July 20, 2010 after a lengthy illness with Parkinson's disease. Chuck was born in Oil City, February 21, 1930 a son of Charles and Carlotta Smithman Berry. He graduated from Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, PA and Lehigh University, Lehigh, PA. He founded Revley Corporation and operated in Meadville and Dallas, TX. He sold various types of insurance for many years, was a member of the Life Underwriters and was a manager of the Conneaut Lake East Side Drive-In Theater and the Academy Theater before it was restored as a non-profit community theater. He was a member, former treasurer and served on the Board of Directors of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville. Chuck was also a long-time former member of the Conneaut Lake Yacht Club and the Vernon Township Rotary. Chuck was an avid golfer, loved jazz and music of all types, playing cards and other games; he enjoyed being with family, friends and taking camping trips. He had a wonderful sense of humor and continued to get friends and family with 'zingers' all of his life. He will be truly and sadly missed by his wife Vicki Gillette Berry and all his family and friends. Special thanks are extended to Hospice of Crawford County, especially Barb, Tena, volunteer Tracy and the wonderful nurses and staff who made Chuck and Vicki's lives easier for the past two years. He is survived by his wife Vicki, whom he married February 11, 1995. He is also survived by his sons, Charles D. Berry and his wife Cynthia of Gibsonia, PA and their children, John Berry and his wife Marrissa, Chris Berry and Megan Berry; Wm. Scott Berry and his wife Barbara of Dallas, TX and their children, Katie Castillejos and her husband David and their daughter, Annie, Christine McCabe and her husband Taylor, Natalie Clark and her husband Ben and Marty Berry; and John Berry and his wife Carla of Conneaut Lake and her son, Dustin Jackson. He is also survived by Vicki's children, Dale Gillette and his wife Jill of Conneautville and their children, Isaiah and Mariah; Michael Gillette and his wife Stacy of Linesville and her children, Jerry, David and Samantha; Mathew Gillette and his special friend Larkin of Linesville and the rest of Vicki's family, the Headley's; Dwayne and Maxine, Ronald and Jane, James, Marsha and Dick (Sowry), David and Virginia, Dennis and Mary, Karen, Bryan and Walter (Munson) and their extended families. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Ann Hafer Berry; two sisters, Virginia Luce and Betty Breene; a brother-in-law, Thomas Headley and a sister-in-law, Carrie Headley. Calling hours will be Friday from 4-6 p.m. at the Waid-Coleman Funeral Home, Inc., 12422 Conneaut Lake Road, Conneaut Lake. The memorial service will follow at 6 p.m. at the funeral home, led by Josh Searle-White. It was Chuck's wish that his body be donated to science followed by cremation. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Hospice of Crawford County, 464 Pine Street, Meadville, PA 16335 or the Unitarian Universalist Church, 346 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335.