Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Perry, Gerard Francis 2014
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Marilyn Ransom mransom311@gmail.com July 5, 2015, 10:22 pm

The Ionia Sentinel-Standard, Tuesday, December 16, 2014


Gerard Francis Perry of Ionia, passed away on December 13, 2014 at the age of 
100.  He was born on April 5, 1914 in Ionia, the oldest of five children of 
Leonard and Anna (Andres) Perry. 

He was an active member of Ss Peter and Paul Catholic Church, YMCA, Boy Scouts 
of America, Ionia Knights of Columbus and the Ionia Historical Society.  He 
enjoyed driving the "Train" at the Fall Festival and at activities at the 
church.  Gerard worked the annual CROP WALK for 31 years.  He also was the 
leader of the Christmas Church Walk for many years.  Gerard was proud to have 
been in Boy Scouts his whole life.  He was an Eagle Scout in his youth, a 
leader of Troop 86 for many, many years and sponsored many new Eagle Scouts 
through his later years. 

He was honored to serve as a Senior member of scouting when President Ford was 
laid to rest at the Ford Museum in Grand Rapids.  He was grateful to be honored 
as a second place winner in the State of Michigan for volunteering in the Ionia 
Community.  He was awarded a certificate for this in Detroit by Gov. Granholm.  
Gerard was very humbled to have Perry Park in Ionia named after him.  He was 
happy to be feted by the Ionia Community, with a parade down Main Street and a 
party with a video presentation and many speakers at the Ionia Theater.  He 
also enjoyed all the birthday wishes on the signs by community businesses and 
parties given by the Church, Green Acres and The Commission on Aging.  

Gerry was the Easter Egg Hunt Chairman at Ss. Peter and Paul for 30 years and a 
member of the Theater Board for over 20 years.  He worked at the Christian 
Center for 30 years and with his wife, Rita was campground host for Petoskey 
Sate Park for four years. 

Gerard was married to Bernice (Sage) on November 29, 1937 until her passing in 
1970.  He married Rita (Mulder) on November 28, 1981 at Ss. Peter and Paul and 
she passed away in 2010.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, sons 
David (1962) and Philip (2013); granddaughter Bethany Bray (1976); sisters 
Clara Dean Teresa Sapa and Quin Wilson all from California and a brother 
Fredrick Perry from Battle Creek. 

Gerry is survived by his daughter, Patricia (Richard) Letts of Ionia and 
grandsons, Gregory Bray of Ohio.  He is also survived by his step-children 
Carol (Gordon) DeVries of Holland and Sue (Robert) Atkinson of Grand Rapids; 
four step-grandchildren and six step-great grandchildren; grandsons David and 
Joseph Perry and a granddaughter, April Perry; daughter-in-law, Kathy and her 
three children. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, 
December 17, 2014 at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ionia with Rev. Thomas 
Boufford presiding.  Rite of Committal will be in the spring at Mt. Olivet 
Catholic Cemetery.  A luncheon will follow the Funeral Mass in the school 
cafeteria.  The family will receive friends 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Tuesday at Ss. 
Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 434 High St., Ionia.  The rosary will be prayed 
at 7:30 p.m. in the church.  Memorial contributions may be made to Ss. Peter 
and Paul Building Campaign in memory of Gerard.  Arrangements are with Lehman 
Funeral Homes, Ionia.


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