Marilyn (Minor) Berry went to the arms of the Lord at 11:30 am on January 23, 2016 in Mifflintown, PA at the age of 76, after a short, 5 week battle with cancer. She was a member of the Evangelical Methodist Church. She gave her life to the Lord at the age of 9 and faithfully followed the Lord throughout her life.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, William Berry; children, Elizabeth Melhorn and her husband Verlyn of Selinsgrove, Pa, William Berry II and his wife Sandra of Middleburg, PA, John Berry and his wife Michelle of Mifflintown, PA, Deborah Royer of Selinsgrove, PA; 9 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Marilyn was born on March 9, 1939 in Stevensville, Ontario, Canada. She was preceded in death by her parents, Calvary and Alma Minor, her siblings, Adrian, Leroy, Harold, Leo, and Olive, all of Ontario Canada and a great grandchild, Jacob Melhorn of Selinsgrove, PA.
Marilyn and William (whom she lovingly called Bill) were married for 56 ½ years, they were inseparable. Her children remember her as a strong, loving mother and friend, the glue that held the family together. Her generosity, love, ambition, and drive were endless. She provided the illuminance and balance that gave cause for her family to revere her and call her Blessed.
Marilyn came to the United States at the age of 17 on a work Visa and was sponsored by Rev. William Rosenberry (who was founder of the radio ministry “Gospel Words and Music”) of Philadelphia, PA. Marilyn finished school in the US, graduated from nursing school as a LPN, become a PA licensed nursing home administrator, all the while finishing her college education with an MBA, PhD. She taught classes in nutrition, embroidery, sewing machine operation, trained in and practiced as a school principal, was married to a minister of the gospel, and raised her close-knit family.
Marilyn was a deeply devoted Christian, as each decision she made was weighted against whether the Lord would be pleased. Her conviction of life in Christ never faltered. She was stable, reliable, creative, supportive, promising, and fulfilling in every task trusted to her judgement.
Her life was dependent upon he Lord’s leadership and fellowship. She was outgoing, friendly, exciting, cheerful, and a pleasure to be around. Wherever she went, she made an impression of integrity and fruitfulness, making herself a friend of all who would receive her. If you knew Marilyn, you knew you could trust her; she was very careful not to betray any confidence placed in her. Marilyn carried life and vitality to others in her fragile vessel. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her but her vitality of life testifies to the power of God beyond herself. Now her spirit is with God who gave it, she is no longer vulnerable, she is complete in Him.
A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 from the Oakland Mills Evangelical Methodist Church with the Rev. Dennis L. Ritchey officiating. Interment will be in the Blair Memorial Park, Altoona.
A viewing will be held from 4 – 8 p.m. with family present from 6 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville and again from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Mrs. Berry’s memory to the Oakland Mills Evangelical Methodist Church, 148 Leonard Lane, Oakland Mills, PA 17076.

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