Milan Anthony Berry, age 66, died on Friday, September 3, 2021, at his home in Garden City, Kansas following a long illness with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Disease. He was born on December 15, 1954, in Oakley, Kansas, the son of Victor LeRoy and Maxine Keller Berry. He attended elementary school in Page City, Kansas and graduated in 1972 from Triplains High School in Winona, Kansas. Milan attended Fort Hays, Kansas State College before returning home where he worked for his uncle, Vernon Berry, building terraces, did farm work for Leon Stoppel, and also worked in construction for Colby Steel.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1980, Milan married Deanna Ward Berry in Winona, Kansas. To this union were born three sons, Clayton Ward in 1982, Brandon Cyler in 1984 and Cade Nolind in 1988.
Milan worked as a parts man and mechanic for Ward Equipment in Winona before opening his own business, Brewster Auto Parts, in 1984. At that time, Milan and Deanna moved to Brewster, Kansas, where he ran the parts store and engaged in custom farming. He served as a Brewster city councilman and mayor, and was a volunteer firefighter and EMT in both Brewster and Winona. In 1991 Milan sold the business and took up full-time farming and ranching, moving back to Winona. In 1993, he and his family moved to Leoti, Kansas, while Milan continued farming in Logan County. Milan sold his cattle in 2001 when the family moved to Garden City, Kansas. He commuted and continued farming until his health no longer allowed.
Milan had a lifelong love of firearms, gunsmithing and reloading, spending many hours studying and working on his own and others’ guns of all kinds. He had a deep knowledge and enjoyed talking with his friends about the subject.
Milan was also a very good cook, making the best potatoes and gravy around, and flipping many a breakfast pancakes for his boys.
Despite his imposing physical presence, Milan was gentle, unassuming man; a steadfast and supportive husband, hands on father, and loving grandfather. He treasured his time alone and with family, and deeply loved the land he farmed and ranched.
Preceding him in death were his father, Victor Berry; son, Brandon Cyler Berry; father-in-law, Charles “Bud” Ward; niece Mariah Soderland; niece, Reata Pinkerton. Survivors include his wife Deanna; mother, T. Maxine Berry; brother, Mark (Milodred) Berry; sons, Clayton (Maegan) and Cade Berry; Grandchildren, Sadie, Jax, Jessa, and Hadley Berry; mother-in-law, Naomi Ward; brother-in-law, Nolind Ward; sister-in-law, Charlotte Baalman; nieces and nephews, Charlie Ward, Lacey Ward, Sge Ward and Zane Ward; Callie Guajardo, Caleb Baalman and Bethany Baalman; and many cousins, family and friends.
Cremation was chosen and there will be no calling hours.
Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at the Winona Untied Methodist Church at 10:30 am. Interment will be held at the Winona cemetery immediately following.
Memorials are suggested to Russell Childhood Development Center in care of Price & Sons Funeral Home, 620 N. Main St. Garden City, Kansas 67846.