PERKINS, Leslie J.

PERKINS, WILSON, MCCONAHAY

Posted By: Nancy (email)
Date: 10/20/2003 at 13:20:21

October 16, 2003 The Wapello Republican and the Morning Sun News-Herald. Accompanied by a photo.
Leslie J. Perkins

Leslie “Les” James Perkins, 81, rural Morning Sun, Iowa, died Wednesday morning, October 8, 2003, at his home. The son of Lloyd D. and Minnie W. Wilson Perkins, he was born December 18, 1921, in Louisa County. He married Betty Jean McConahay on July 3, 1942, at Canton, Missouri.

He was in the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving aboard the USS Birmingham, CL-62, during the invasion of Sicily and throughout the Pacific Campaign. He earned the Purple Heart for wounds he received in combat.

He was a life member of the VFW Glenn Allen post 5166 at Wapello and had served several years as the post commander and was a member of the honor guard. He was a member of the American Legion Hays Scott Post 112 at Morning Sun, the national chairman of the USS Birmingham Reunion Group, and a member of the Moose Lodge in Burlington.

He was an avid race car fan and fisherman.

He farmed in Louisa County and had also been a dispatcher for the Louisa County Sheriff.

Survivors include his wife, Betty; three sons, Jim and Vicki Perkins of Oskaloosa, Ron and Sherri Perkins of Sumner, Washington, and Rich and Wanda Perkins of Wapello’ five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Mildred Noble of Morning Sun; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother Effie Harrington, an infant daughter, a brother, Elmer Perkins, and an infant sister.

A memorial service was held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Wapello, officiated by the Revs. Dean Graber and Harlan W. Winter and organ music by Bev Parsons, followed by military rites by the Wapello VFW at the Wapello Cemetery and lunch at the Briggs Civic Center in Wapello.

Donations may be made to the Great River Hospice of West Burlington and the Wapello VFW Post 5166.