David C. Berry

David C. Berry, 59, of Indianapolis, passed away Thursday, August 28, 2014, at his home.

He was born January 27, 1955, in Sutton, WV, to James Richard Berry and Nell Dobbins Hillberry.  On July 16, 2013, he married Jill; she survives.

David served in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1973-1987, and later the U.S. National Guard from 1998 before retiring in 2005.  David received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Mercer College in 1988 and received his Master of Art from Georgia State in 1991.  He was a former associate pastor in a Southern Baptist congregation.  David was a board member for Howarth Center in Lafayette.  He also was dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Ivy Tech Community College in Lafayette before retiring in April of 2014.  He was a member of American Radio Relay League, American Legion, Divers Alert Network, Lafayette Scuba Club, Marine Corp League, Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), Community College Humanities Association (CCHA), Alumni of the East-West Center Association, and St. Matthew United Methodist Church.  At St. Matthew United Methodist Church, he was also active in the staff parish and missions.  Dave leaves us with the thought, “Be a lifelong learner.”

In addition to his wife, David is survived by his father of Columbus, mother and step-father, Chuck, of West Jefferson, OH; daughters, Michelle (Robert) Arroyo of South Carolina, and Stephanie (Leon) Caswell of Georgia; step daughter, Kellie Fischer of Frankfort; step son, William Fischer of Indianapolis; two sisters, Susan Deppner and Janis Francis; and four grandchildren, Chaney, Jackson, Madison, and Gerrick.

David is preceded in death by his son, David Scott Berry, and brother, Bruce Berry.

Friends and family are invited to join for food and fellowship on Saturday, September 6, 2014, at St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Frankfort, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  A celebration of life service will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the church with Pastor Justin Fisher officiating.  Memorials in David’s name may be made to ""David Berry Life Long Learner Scholarship,"" Ivy Tech Community College, Attn: Kate Campos, 3101 S. Creasy Lane Lafayette, IN 47905, or at https://connect.ivytech.edu/pages/donation-form-lafayette-region.  Online condolences may be directed to www.gendafuneralhome.com.