- Date Of Birth: April 5, 1914
- Date Of Death: December 13, 2014
- State: Michigan
Gerard Francis Perry
Ionia
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 4 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; 4 step-grandchildren and 6 step-great grandchildren; Grandsons David and Joseph Perry and a granddaughter, April Perry; daughter-in-law, Kathy and her three children.
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