Eric Berry

ERIC BERRY, age 55, of Malta, formerly of Elburn, passed away at Delnor Community Hospital, Wednesday, August 21, 2013 following a short illness. He was born October 23, 1957 in Geneva, IL, the son of Edward Sr. and Jeanne (Ferris) Berry.Eric grew up in Elburn and attended local schools. He graduated from Kaneland High School with the class of 1975.Eric continued his education at McMurray College where he graduated with a B.A. in Education. He then attended N.I.U. where he attained a second Bachelor’s degree, this time in Computer Science. Eric was a teacher for a time while he lived in Jacksonville, IL, but music was the passion that ruled his heart. To that end, he opened his own guitar shop, Acoustic Woodworks, in Elburn, where he made custom guitars by hand. His musical excellence didn’t stop there; he also was an accomplished pianist and was adept at playing just about any other kind of instrument as well. In 1994, Eric began working at Johnson Controls in DeKalb where he became an IT Manager and Systems Analyst for almost 20 years and was a site consultant often going to their plant in Mexico.Although never married, Eric’s heart and soul belonged to Karen Bovenizer, who he met by chance in Naperville in 1992. Though fate brought them together, it was their deep love for each other that kept them walking side by side and making memories for 21 years. Eric had a kind soul, was friend to many and could make just about anyone laugh in spite of thkemselves. He was generous to a fault, giving often to the Susan G. Komen Foundation For Breast Cancer. Eric’s passion for music was infectious. It brought together both family and friends for informal but intense jam sessions that often went into the wee hours of the morning. In addition to music, Eric loved spending time on the water, sailing on White Lake in Michigan where he spent every summer since he was a toddler. Fishing went hand in hand with sailing and he was great at both. He was craftsman of beer as well, tweaking his own home made recipe for a brew that was second to none. Eric was a man who lived life to the fullest, loved deeply and will forever be missed by family and friends. He survived by his loving "sweets", Karen Bovenizer, His parents, Edward and Jeanne Berry, Eight siblings:Ted (Penny) Berry, Chris (Jeanne) Berry, Mark (Kathy) Berry, Valerie Berry,Sally Berry, Jennifer (Carter) Calloway,Margaret (Greg) Edwards and Michelle Berry;16 nieces and nephews;6 great-nieces and nephews and a community of friends. He is preceded in death by his nephews, Phillip Berry and Aaron Berry. Visitation will be from 10-11a.m , with a memorial service to celebrate his life to conclude visitation, Saturday, August 24, 2013, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. Private family burial will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Eric’s name to benefit his favorite charities American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Checks may be made to the "Eric Berry Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.