Mary Evelyn Perry's Obituary
Mary Evelyn Perry, 71, entered into new life with Christ on Friday, December 5, 2014. Mary was born on January 31, 1943, the daughter of Elvin and Alma Herrmann of Appleton City, MO. She graduated from Appleton City High School and the University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in elementary education. While at Mizzou, she met and married George E. Perry with whom she shared her life for 53 wonderful years and raised two daughters. In her personal life, Mary was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a caring mother-in-law, a fun-loving grandmother, a delighted great-grandmother, and faithful friend to many. She was naturally curious and did not want to miss any opportunities to learn, to see, to explore, or to try anything new. In her professional life, Mary was an elementary school teacher in New Bloomfield, MO, Hallsville, MO, and Hurricane Deck, MO, before spending the majority of her teaching career as a 6th grade teacher at East Elementary School in the Jefferson City Public School District, Jefferson City, MO. She retired after 22 1/2 years of dedicated service. With her caring personality and great sense of humor, she positively impacted the lives of many young people and their families in the years she spent in the classroom. After retirement the Perrys operated GM Feedlot, Inc. in Appleton City, MO through the spring of 2000, where Mary served as office manager and bookkeeper. While living in Appleton City, Mary was an active member of the Harmony Mission Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution serving in various offices, as chairperson of the scholarship committee, and as an indexing volunteer for the national organization. She was a member of the Appleton City Landmarks organization and also enjoyed sewing and knitting hobbies, reading, and investigating the Perry family genealogy. For the past eight years, Mary and George were full-time RVers and traveled the United States extensively to see the country and to visit with family and friends. Their past four winters were spent at The Palms Resort in Yuma, AZ where Mary enjoyed participating in many activities at the park. They made many wonderful friends during their time in Yuma to add to the cherished friendships made during their years in Jefferson City and Columbia, MO and from their time spent on the farm. Mary is survived by her husband, George E. Perry, daughter and son-in-law Leigh Ann and Patrick Geen of Glen Rock, NJ, daughter and son-in-law Karen and Michael Weiler of Columbia, IL, seven grandchildren Justin (and Anna) Weiler of Wiesbaden, Germany, Adam (and Tina) Weiler, Jacob Weiler, Caleb Weiler, all of Columbia, IL, Brendan Geen and Mary Geen of Glen Rock, NJ and Hannah Weiler, Columbia, IL, three great-grandchildren Jackson Weiler of Wiesbaden, Germany, Peyton Weiler and Michael Weiler of Columbia, IL, sister Grace (and Leonard) Bartz of Appleton City, brothers/sisters-in-laws John and Joan Perry, Brookfield, MO, Robert and Kathleen Perry, Bethel, MO, and John and Carol Hammond, Shelbina, MO, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and beloved friends. Visitation and services will be held on Friday, December 12 at 11:00 AM at Hill and Son Funeral Home, Appleton City, MO, with interment immediately following in the Appleton City Cemetery. Cremation was performed through Lawlor Funeral Home in Columbia, IL. Many thanks to Columbia Cancer Associates Dr. Michael Trendle and nurse Dorothy, Dr. Carolyn McCourt, Fr. Carl Scherrer, and BJC Hospice for their compassionate care. Memorials may be made to Harmony Mission Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution or BJC Hospice.
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