Leslie James Perkins

Leslie Perkins MORNING SUN, Iowa #45;- Leslie James Perkins, 81, rural Morning Sun, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, at his home. Memorial services are 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at the United Methodist Church, Wapello. The Revs. Dean Graber and Harlan W. Winter will officiate. Musical selections will be provided by organist, Bev Parsons. Burial will be at the Wapello Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Wapello Veterans of Foreign Wars. After the burial, a luncheon will be held at the Briggs Community Center, Wapello. The Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home, Wapello, is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Great River Hospice of West Burlington and the Wapello VFW Post 5166. Mr. Perkins was born on Dec. 18, 1921, in Louisa County, the son of Lloyd C. and Minnie M. Wilson Perkins. He married Betty Jean McConahayon July 3, 1942, in Canton, Mo. He was in the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving aboard the USS Birmingham CL-62 during the invasion of Siciliy and throughout the Pacific Campaign. He earned the Purple Heart for wounds he received in combat. He was a life member of the VFW Glenn Allen Post 5166, Wapello, and ...[more]

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served several years as the post commander and as a member of the honor guard. He was a member of the American Legion Hays Scott Post 112, Morning Sun; the national chairman of the USS Birmingham Reunion Group; and a member of the Moose Lodge, Burlington. He was an avid race car fan and fisherman. He farmed in Louisa County and had also been a dispatcher for the Louisa County Sheriff. Survivors include his wife; three sons, Jim Perkins and wife Vicki of Oskaloosa, Ron Perkins and wife Sherri of Sumner, Wash., and Rich Perkins and wife Wanda of Wapello; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Mildred Noble of Morning Sun; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Effie Harrington; an infant daughter; a brother, Elmer Perkins; and an infant sister.