Michael J. Persinger 1928 - 2005

DELOUGHERY, PERSINGER, RUSSELL

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/14/2019 at 14:27:36

Sioux City Journal
23 October 2005

SOUTH SIOUX CITY -- Michael J. Persinger, 77, of South Sioux City, formerly of Ponca, Neb., died Thursday, Oct. 20, 2005, at a Sioux City hospital following a brief illness.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Michael's Catholic Church in South Sioux City, with the Rev. Daniel Wittrock officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, with military rites conducted. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with a Scriptural wake service at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Becker-Hunt Funeral Home.

Mr. Persinger was born Aug. 19, 1928, in South Sioux City, the 11th of 12 children born to Pearl Ivan and Mary Ellen "Helen" (Deloughery) Persinger. Mike attended school in South Sioux City. He joined the U.S. Navy and served his country for two years. He was honorably discharged and then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for four years in various locations, including England.

Mike married Melva Russell in Ponca on July 5, 1952. They had three children, Micaela, Maureen and Michael Shawn. They lived in Ponca as well as California and South Sioux City. They returned to live in Ponca in 1964. Mike worked at Zenith Corporation in management for many years in various capacities. He retired from Zenith in 1978. He worked at Load King in Elk Point, S.D., as plant manager and vice president of manufacturing, retiring from there in 1987. Mike and Melva moved to South Sioux City in 1991.

He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in South Sioux City, American Legion and Eagles. He was a former member of the Ponca Rodeo Association, where he served as president and secretary for several years, the Ponca Fire Department and Little Britches Rodeo Association. He served as president of Ponca Trailblazers Saddle Club for a number of years.

He enjoyed spending time with friends at Hardee's and Hy-Vee for coffee. He loved golfing and spent many days with family and friends on the golf course until April of this year. Mike was an avid Nebraska Cornhuskers fan and rarely missed a game. He also enjoyed following the South Sioux City Lady Cardinal basketball games. But the times he loved most were spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were the greatest joys of his life.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Melva; two daughters, Micaela "Micki" and her husband, Larry Hansen of South Sioux City, and Maureen and her husband, Jim Anderson of Ponca; a son, Michael Shawn Persinger of Cushing, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Michael R. Kastning and his wife, Jami of Elk Point, S.D., Gina Navarrette and her husband, David of South Sioux City, Brandon Anderson and his fiancee, Brittany Cole of Sioux City, Joshua, Mallory and Jacob Anderson of Ponca, Katie Stewart and her husband, Chad, and Shamus Michael Persinger, all of Homer, Neb.; eight great-grandchildren, Michael W. Kastning of Bailey, N.C., Angelina, Ruby and Nicholas Navarrette of South Sioux City, Abigail, Nora Ann and Patrick Kastning of Elk Point, and Tegan Stewart of Homer; and a sister-in-law, Anita Persinger of Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, P.I. and Helen Persinger; nine brothers, Harold and his wife, Freda, Bernard "Bun" and his wife, Vivian, Francis "Red" and his wife, Helen, James "Bill" and his wife, Frances, Charles, Don and his wife, Monica, Doug and his wife, Bonnie, Milt and his wife, Harriet and Pat and his wife, Gloria; two sisters, Mary Ellis and Elizabeth "Betty" Mahon Place; a granddaughter, Zoi Persinger; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the American Cancer Society or to St. Michael's Catholic Church.