Obit: Perry, Forrest Arden (1928 – 2009)

Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Perry, Roberts, Hansen, Rusch, Moore, Kettle, Murphy, Weitz, McClutchy, Hurst, Lea, Griffin, Peterson, Griswald, Traigle, Anderberg, Paddock, Dailey, Rieder, Streveler, Cameron, Steiner, Hellmen, Wiste, Eddy

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) July 22, 2009

Perry, Forrest A. “Dunk” (5 April 1928 – 13 July 2009) With Flag

Forrest Arden “Dunk” Perry, 81, of Black River Falls, and formerly of Janesville, died at his home Monday, July 13, 2009, surrounded by his wife and children under the care of Black River Hospice.  Dunk battled cancer just as he did life – with strength, humility, humor and a whole lot of tenacity.

Forrest was born April 5, 1928, in Jackson County to Margaret (Roberts) and Forrest Perry.  He was the youngest boy on the farm, and although life directed him to other career paths, the farmer never left the farm kid.  Forrest attended school in Black River Falls and was a graduate at Black River Falls High School. After short stints as a lumberjack, and a taxi driver, Dunk served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War.  He returned to Black River Falls and married his love and best friend, Carol Jean Hansen, June 14, 1958.  In June of 2008, Forrest and Carol celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary with a barn dance at the Roberts farm.

Forrest and Carol purchased the Roberts farm, which had been in Dunk’s family for three generations.  The farm is a registered sesquicentennial farm in Jackson County.  In 1969, the Perry’s moved to Janesville, where Dunk worked for Janesville Auto Transportation Company (JATCO).  Dunk retired from JATCO in 1991 and was then able to return to his beloved farm.

Forrest is survived by his devoted wife, Carol, and 10 children – three sons, Tim (Angie) of Janesville, Garret (Liz) of Waterloo and Nathan (Sarah) of Janesville; seven daughters, Lynn (Brian) Rusch of Grand Rapids, MN, Lori Perry of Janesville, Leigh (Joel) Moore of Janesville, Lucy (Larry) Kettle of Janesville, Lesley (Sean) Murphy of Janesville, Lizzie (Randy) Weitz of Minoqua and Lacee (Matt) McClutchy of Milwaukee; 24 grandchildren, Katey, John and William Rusch, Dustin and Jessica Hurst, Aubri, Joel “Jake”, Carol Ann and Hanna-Lea Moore, Meghan Griffin-Perry, Jedidiah and Lauren Perry, Nicholas and Samuel Kettle, Seamus and Padraig Murphy, Maddie, Gunnar, and Meredith Weitz, Emma and Isabel Perry and Arden, Oliver and Nettie Mae McClutchy; sisters, Judy Peterson of Black River Falls, Ruth (James) Griswald of Phenix City, AL, and Patsy Traigle, of Labadieville, LA; an aunt, Joyce Roberts Andberg of Marietta, OH; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Forrest was preceded in death by a daughter, Sue, Twin sons, Peter and John; his father Forrest Perry; his mother, Margaret Perry Paddock; his stepfather, Robert Paddock; brothers, Robert and Howard; and sisters, Mary Dailey and Margaret “Dilly” Rieder.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 18, 2009, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and burial with military rites by Miles-Hagen American Legion Post 200 and Thompson-Red Cloud VFW Post 1959 was in Riverside Cemetery, both in Black River Falls. Rev. Fr. Robert Streveler officiated.

Family and friends celebrated Forrest’s life at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, July 17, and Saturday from 10 a.m. until the funeral mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to Black River Hospice, 711 W. Adams St., Black River Falls, WI 54615.

The Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, assisted the family with the arrangements.

Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com.

The family of Forrest “Dunk” Perry would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation for flowers, food, care, cards, comfort and support given during Dunk’s illness and passing.  A special thank you to Black River Memorial Hospice Staff; Respiratory Therapy Department, and volunteers for extra special care and home visits. Dr. Etson Cameron and Lynda Garden Cameron, Father John Steiner, Father Bob Streveler and the ladies of the PCCW for the beautiful funeral mass and luncheon, Beth Hellmen and Thelma Wiste for the wonderful music, Samuel and Matthew Hellmen for their service, the Staff of Buswell Funeral Home for their caring support and expertise, the American Legion Post 200 and the VFW Post #1959 for providing military honors, the staff at the Holiday Inn Express for all their efforts and the Eddy Family who knew what we needed before we did.  God Bless you all!