Berry D. Hance

Berry Darvin Hance, age 68, of Belle, passed away Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at his home surrounded by family.

Berry was born June 19, 1955, in Rolla, a son to the late William Edward and Lula Mae (Chambers) Hance.

Berry was a longtime area resident and a 1973 graduate of Belle High School. He was a longtime member of the Pine Ridge Golf Course in Belle, and was a member of the St. James Golf Course. 

On June 23, 1973, he was united in marriage to Kay Dahms at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran church in Belle. From this union, two sons were born. Kay survives in their home.

Berry worked as a heavy equipment operator for both HanCo and Bloomsdale Excavating Rolla division. In 2013 he retired to golf. Everyday was a Saturday.

Berry enjoyed watching Hallmark movies as well as the St. Louis Cardinals and KC Chiefs games. He lived for golf and could be found daily on the course in Belle and other courses through the years. If there was something funny to say, he’d say it. He was fast witted, had a great sense of humor and always had a joke on hand to tell. Berry was kind and giving, always willing to help out others in need, and his faith in God was strong. Berry will be missed greatly by those that knew and loved him.

In addition to his wife of 50 years, Berry is survived by: two sons, Brad Hance of Belle and Brian Hance and his wife Michelle of Belle; two grandchildren, Branden Hance and Alyssa Hance; siblings, Mary Basford of Arkansas, Bill Hance and his wife Eva of Belle, Bob Hance and his wife T.J. of O’Fallon, Jim Hance and his wife Frances of O’Fallon, Retha Heimbaugh and her husband Lonnie of Rolla, Kay Maxwell and her husband Danny of Gerald, Jack Hance of Vichy, sister-in-law Llona Hance of Vichy, and Danny Hance of Illinois as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by brother-in-law Gene Basford, sister Betty Stangel and her husband Casey, one sister-in-law Sue Hance, one brother Arthur Hance, and one daughter-in-law, Amanda Jo Hance.