Gregory Frank Berry

MONONA - Gregory Berry, age 84, of Monona, passed away on Monday, July 6, 2026, at UW Hospital after a short illness. He was born on July 26, 1941, to John Berry and Myrtle Sumnicht and his bonus mom, Adele Berry. At the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Navy and during that time traveled to many countries. His adventures didn't stop there; when he returned to Wisconsin from the Navy, Greg and his best friend, Philip Murphy, decided to hitchhike to California to see the Pacific Ocean. One can definitely say they had many adventures during that time. When Greg came back to Wisconsin, his new adventures began. In 1964, he met his wife, JoAnn, and they got married in April of 1965. They then bought their first and only home in Monona.

Greg worked as a meat cutter first for Neesvig’s for five years and then moved to UW Provisions, and worked there for 35 years until he retired from meat cutting. He made many friends during his time with UW Provisions. After he retired, he became bored within the first two weeks of retirement and decided to find a part time job. He found that job at Superior Radiographics and went from cutting meat to being an x-ray technician. Greg enjoyed that change of pace and continued to work there until Covid when the business eventually closed its doors.

Greg enjoyed deer hunting every year until his brother, Mike, passed away. He would go each year with his son, Mark, brother, Mike and friends. They would hunt each year, but it was definitely a deer camp environment where a lot of fun and laughs were had. He was also an avid Chicago Bears fan and you could find him every football Sunday watching the games with his son, Mark. They built the garage into what some would call a man cave, and Greg and Mark would spend their weekends there talking or watching the Bears or NASCAR, there wasn’t a weekend you wouldn’t find them there unless they were camping.

Greg is survived by his wife of 61 years, JoAnn Berry; his son, Mark Berry, daughter, Michelle Miller; granddaughters, Skylar (Hunter) Deblare and Alyssa (Alex Robson) Miller; and his great-granddaughter, Everly Robson. He referred to his great-granddaughter as “Ladybug” and loved being able to become a great-grandfather. He is further survived by his siblings, Judy (David) Smysor, David Berry, Jill McCurley and Mitchell Berry; along with his nieces, Shannon (Eli) Bosma, Elyse Berry, Emma Berry and Kassie Berry; as well as many other family members.

Greg was preceded in death by his parents, John Berry and Myrtle Sumnicht and bonus mom, Adele Berry; siblings, Michael Berry and John Berry; brother-in-law, Jerry McCurley; sister-in-law, Laura Berry; nephew, Michael May; and mother-in-law, Claudia Haegle.

We would like to thank JoAnn's caregivers Twania, Doneshia and his bonus daughter, Ashley, and her children who called Greg grandpa for all their time spent with Greg and JoAnn over the years and the care they have given. We would like to thank the nursing staff at the VA hospital in Madison for the care they gave him during his time there. Lastly, we would like to give a special thank you to the nursing staff in the TLC unit of UW hospital and especially to his nurse, Rob, and Dr. Sarah Hahn for their care and comfort that Monday. We so appreciate all that they did for him and our family that day.

Greg was an amazing husband, father, son, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was also a friend to anyone he met and would do anything to help anyone out. He will be missed forever, but we will cherish all the memories that we have. Until we meet again, we will love you forever.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420