Date of death: 10/16/2012
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1950
The Rev. Francis John Perry, 87, of Dubuque, formerly of Ionia and North Washington, died Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Stonehill Care Center, Dubuque.He was born May 24, 1925, in St. Lucas, son of Matthew and Theresa Blong Perry.Father Perry graduated from Loras College, Dubuque, and completed his theological studies at Saint Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, Ind. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1950. He served in the active priesthood for 50 years. He last served Immaculate Conception Parish in North Washington and St. Boniface Parish in Ionia from 1987 until his retirement in 2000.Survived by: two sisters, Marie Marek of Cedar Rapids and Flora (Pat) McMullen of Williamsburg, Va.; a brother, Matt (Sharon) of Libertyville, Ill.; a sister-in-law, Mary Perry; and numerous nieces and nephewsPreceded in death by: a sister, Rita Karnik; three brothers, Leo, Robert and Jerome; and two brothers-in-law, Maynard Marek and Anthony Karnik.Services: 11 a.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Church, North Washington, with burial in St. Boniface Cemetery, Ionia. Visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Ionia, with a 4:30 p.m. rosary and a 6 p.m. scriptural wake service. Visitation also an hour before services Friday at the church in North Washington. Conway-Markham Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.Memorials: may be directed to the family.Condolences may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com.Frank was active in many sports, especially baseball and tennis. He was a pitcher for the seminary baseball team, and his specialty was his knuckleball. He also loved tennis and pitching horseshoes. He was very proficient at all of these.Published in the WCF Courier.