Alice Jane Berry

BERRY, Alice Jane Dinan, 79, died Tuesday, December 17, 2024, after a short illness. Alice was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and was the daughter of Una (Carpenter) Dinan and Edward Warren Dinan, Jr. She lived most of her adult life in Dayton, Ohio, and spent her final years in Richmond, Indiana. 

Alice graduated from Mount Mercy University and dedicated an extraordinary 53 years to teaching high school English, spending 51 of those years at Northridge High School. Her impact as an educator spanned generations as a teacher, mentor, and guide to countless students and colleagues. She dedicated her life to serving students and created the school’s first literary magazine, The Berry Patch. During the early years, she taught honors classes and assisted students with placements at the Air Force Academy and USMA West Point. She served as chair of the English department. Later in her career, she shifted to help those most in need, creating the “Stay in School" program and assisting students who otherwise might not have graduated in earning their high school diplomas. She shared her time, talents, and money for school lunches, but most of all her kindness and love. 

Alice was the first woman invited to join the Kiwanis Club of Northridge, Ohio, in 1988, where she contributed her time and energy for decades and served as the first female president. She started the Kiwanis Club’s Christmas Auction to raise money for baskets to give to Northridge families in need, which continues to this day. 

Those who knew Alice knew her Catholic faith was central to her life. She spent two years in the convent as a Sister of Loretto in Louisville, Kentucky, from 1963 to 1965. She was a parishioner of Saint Adalbert Church in Dayton, and Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Richmond, Indiana. 

More than anything, Alice loved her children and grandchildren, as they were the light of her life. She enjoyed attending their activities; she was their biggest fan. Her family was her pride and brought her joy. She was the best mother and Grammy. She shared her love of Coca-Cola, theater, dance, baseball, Disney, and polar bears. She was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, and she enjoyed casino trips with her friends.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Mary Ann Dinan, and her infant granddaughter, Mary Jane Vanderpool. She is survived by her children: Andrew (Emily) Berry, Molly Vanderpool, and Robert (Megan) Berry; her grandchildren: Kathryn and Samuel Berry; Allie, Timothy, and Abigail Vanderpool; and Madeline and Olivia Berry. She is also survived by her siblings, Edward Warren (Jane) Dinan III and Nancy (James P.) Schier, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Alice had many dear friends, including Mary Jo Withrow, Suzie Stevens, Colette Moorman, David Jackson, Nick Davis, Dave and Marilyn Duvall, Lawrence O’Donnell, Dave Greismeyer, Sister Jane Marie Richardson SL, and Sister Jane Feller OSF.

Visitation: Celebrate, share a Coke, and memories of Ms. Berry on Friday, December 27th from 4-7 pm at Northridge High School, Door #1, 2011 Timber Lane, Dayton, Ohio 45414.

Funeral Mass: Saturday, December 28th at 10:30 am at St. Christopher Catholic Church, 435 East National Road Vandalia, Ohio 45377.

Burial service: Saturday, December 28th at 1:30 p.m. at the Earlham Cemetery, 1101 W. National Rd., Richmond, IN 47374.

If desired, contributions can be made to the Kiwanis Club of Northridge (Alice Berry Scholarship), 2011 Timber Lane, Dayton, OH 45414, in Alice's memory.

Arrangements entrusted to the Morton & Whetstone Funeral Home, Vandalia, Ohio. Condolences can be shared at www.MortonWhetstoneFH.com.