J Perkins

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Tuesday, November 23, 2010, at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Decatur. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 7:30 PM Monday at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home in Cerro Gordo. Burial will be in Cerro Gordo Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Cerro Gordo American Legion Post #117. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes are handling the arrangements.Mr. Perkins was born in Cerro Gordo, Illinois, on November 5, 1918, the son of Erwin F. and Amelia C. McNamee Perkins. He was employed at Archer Daniels Midland Company as foreman of the Soybean Oil Extraction Department for two years prior to World War II. During the war, he served in the U.S. Army throughout the European Theatre as a 1st Lieutenant in the 101st Mechanized Cavalry (Reconnaissance), and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. He was always proud of his service to his country. Following his discharge from the Army, he returned to Archer Daniels Midland, working again in the same department for three more years. He then farmed in the Cerro Gordo area until his retirement in 1985. He was an avid sports fan and was a devoted follower of the Chicago Cubs, University of Notre Dame football, and University of Illinois basketball. Throughout his life, he was a loyal patron of the Cerro Gordo restaurant (now Judys Kitchen) and an honorary member of The Liars Table there. He was a member of the Cerro Gordo American Legion Post #117, was affiliated with St. Michaels Catholic Church in Bement, and previously served as President of the Cerro Gordo Cooperative Grain Company.He married Norma E. Blood on January 7, 1943, in Littleton, Massachusetts. She survives him. He is also survived by one daughter, N. Kathleen Perkins of Cerro Gordo; one son, Robert E. Perkins and wife Challis, also of Cerro Gordo; and two grandsons, Brett J. Perkins and R. Christopher Perkins, both of South Bend, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, William M. Perkins, and one sister, Rosalind M. (Perkins) Simonton.He was a proud member of his Cerro Gordo community and will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.The family would like to thank Dr. Gaurang Patel, Dr. Hima Atluri, Dr. Venkat Minnaganti, and the staffs of St. Marys Hospital and the Lincoln Manor nursing center for their compassionate care.Memorials may be made to the Cerro Gordo Ambulance Service. "
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