Obituary for John W Perkins
John W. Perkins, 77 of Dubuque, passed away Monday, February 4, 2019 at the University of Iowa Hospitals, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with leukemia. John battled long enough to celebrate his 51st Wedding Anniversary to his loving wife, Jean M. Perkins. Visitation will be from 9 AM to 11:45 AM on Saturday, February 9, at the Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Road followed by the funeral service at Noon.
John was born September 30, 1941 in Waterloo, Iowa to Clarence “Cy” and Ruth (Miller) Perkins. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1959. On February 3, 1968, he married his loving wife, Jean M. Gantenbein at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dubuque, Iowa. John was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. John had a passion for all things family. John enjoyed attending his children’s sporting events, music concerts, and competitions. After welcoming grandchildren to the family, John started the cycle again, finding joy in attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, music concerts, and music competitions. Dad / Grandpa gave up many personal interests for his family.
He retired from John Deere in 2011 after 46 years. He worked various positions while at John Deere, retiring as an assembler in the Small Crawler Division. He was so proud of his service to John Deere, staying loyal to the company until the day he passed.
John enjoyed volunteering to set up Reflections in the Park at Murphy Park for Hillcrest Family Services. He also enjoyed golfing with friends, exploring different golf courses surrounding the Dubuque area. In retirement, John reconnected with a great group of buddies from John Deere, having coffee on a regular basis and traveling around Iowa to various minor league baseball parks. It wasn’t as much about the baseball as it was about fellowship with friends. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, Atlanta Braves fan (starting with their time in Milwaukee), and Iowa Hawkeye fan.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jean, his two children: Tina (Brent) Davis, Tim (Sarah) Perkins, and his six grandchildren: Abigail Davis, Makenna Davis, Daniel Davis, Norah Perkins, Lanis Perkins and Annah Perkins; sister in-law Barbara Gantenbein, and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Ruth and Clarence Perkins, his father and mother in-law; John and Selma Gantenbein, brother in-law David Gantenbein, brother in-law Carl (Tony) Gantenbein, sister in-law Carol Gantenbein, and niece Becky Gantenbein.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established. Please direct memorial fund contributions to Hillcrest Family Service, Reflections in the Park.
Special thanks to the University of Iowa Hospital doctors and nurses; with special recognition to Dr. Carlos E. Vigil Gonzales for his compassionate and loving care, Dr. Vigil’s nurse Abby, and all the nursing staff located at the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Unit, and Palliative Care Unit.
John was born September 30, 1941 in Waterloo, Iowa to Clarence “Cy” and Ruth (Miller) Perkins. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1959. On February 3, 1968, he married his loving wife, Jean M. Gantenbein at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dubuque, Iowa. John was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. John had a passion for all things family. John enjoyed attending his children’s sporting events, music concerts, and competitions. After welcoming grandchildren to the family, John started the cycle again, finding joy in attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, music concerts, and music competitions. Dad / Grandpa gave up many personal interests for his family.
He retired from John Deere in 2011 after 46 years. He worked various positions while at John Deere, retiring as an assembler in the Small Crawler Division. He was so proud of his service to John Deere, staying loyal to the company until the day he passed.
John enjoyed volunteering to set up Reflections in the Park at Murphy Park for Hillcrest Family Services. He also enjoyed golfing with friends, exploring different golf courses surrounding the Dubuque area. In retirement, John reconnected with a great group of buddies from John Deere, having coffee on a regular basis and traveling around Iowa to various minor league baseball parks. It wasn’t as much about the baseball as it was about fellowship with friends. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, Atlanta Braves fan (starting with their time in Milwaukee), and Iowa Hawkeye fan.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jean, his two children: Tina (Brent) Davis, Tim (Sarah) Perkins, and his six grandchildren: Abigail Davis, Makenna Davis, Daniel Davis, Norah Perkins, Lanis Perkins and Annah Perkins; sister in-law Barbara Gantenbein, and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Ruth and Clarence Perkins, his father and mother in-law; John and Selma Gantenbein, brother in-law David Gantenbein, brother in-law Carl (Tony) Gantenbein, sister in-law Carol Gantenbein, and niece Becky Gantenbein.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established. Please direct memorial fund contributions to Hillcrest Family Service, Reflections in the Park.
Special thanks to the University of Iowa Hospital doctors and nurses; with special recognition to Dr. Carlos E. Vigil Gonzales for his compassionate and loving care, Dr. Vigil’s nurse Abby, and all the nursing staff located at the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Unit, and Palliative Care Unit.