John G. “Jack” Perks, 82, of Tyrone and formerly of Philipsburg and Osceola Mills, died Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015 at Allegheny Lutheran Home, Hollidaysburg.
Born Jan. 23, 1933 in Osceola Mills, he was a son of the late Joseph Maxwell and Margaret Irene (Shinafelt) Perks.
He was a 1950 graduate of Osceola Mills High School. He retired from the railroad in 1994, where he was a car inspector.
Years prior he was a milkman and owned the local distributor Sealtest.
He was of the Presbyterian faith and a former deacon at the First Presbyterian Church, Philipsburg.
He was also a member of the Altoona Jaffa Shrine, Philipsburg B.P.O. Elk Lodge No. 1173 and Philipsburg F&AM Moshannon Lodge No. 391.
Mr. Perks was also a volunteer fireman for Hope Fire Co No. 2.
He was an avid fan of all Penn State sports and the Steelers. He loved gardening, enjoyed walking and trout fishing, watching wrestling and having the Penn State Creamery’s “Alumni Swirl” ice cream.
He was especially proud that all of his children graduated from college.
On Dec. 28, 1950 in Cumberland, Md., he married Joan Marie (Wilson) Perks, who died July 3, 1977.
He later married Linda L. (Irvin) Perks on Aug. 23, 1985 in Cumberland, Md. She survives at home.
Mr. Perks is survived by a son, John A. Perks and his wife, Dawn of Warrenton, Va., and four daughters, Janice Tome of York, Joan M. Perks and her significant other, Dan Kohr of Marmora, NJ, Julie A. Jones and her husband, Walt of West Deptford, NJ and Jennifer D. Perks of Philadelphia.
He is also survived by four granddaughters, Jasmine R. Tome, Jacquline Tome Owens, Stephanie Perks and Caitlin Perks and two great grandsons, Jack Maxwell Owens and Joseph Michael Owens.
He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the David K. Dahlgren Funeral Home, with Timothy Guyer, chaplain of Southern Care Hospice.
Burial will be at the Philipsburg Cemetery.
Friends will be received from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries, 998 Logan Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602 or to Southern Care Hospice, 1701 12th Ave., Building D, Altoona, PA 16602.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.dahlgrenfuneralhome.com.