----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.)

JOHN W PERKINS

John W Perkins, age 95, of Richland Center, died on Feb. 6, 2003, at his residence. He was born Nov. 9, 1907, in Richland County, the son of Albert and Sarah (Steward) Perkins. John graduated from Richland Center High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

John married Esther Dosch on May 18, 1928.

He was a teacher in the Neillsville High School for 42 years, teaching Vocational Agriculture. He helped create the Wisconsin Future Farmers of America Organization and his Neillsville Chapter of the FFA, was one of the original charter chapters in the state.

John was a state champion horseshoe pitcher. John retired from teaching in 1971 and spent 14 winters in Florida with his wife Esther.

They moved to Schmitt Woodland Hills Retirement Center in Richland Center in 1993. John was a member of the United Methodist Church at Neillsville and the Peace United Methodist Church in Richland Center.

He was an enthusiastic golfer, fisherman, gardener and hybridizer and creator of new varieties of gladiolus and daylilies. He exhibited his glads at national and regional glad shows with success. He was an ardent Green Bay Packer and Wisconsin Badger fan.

Survivors include his wife Esther of Richland Center, many nieces and nephews and many grand nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death, by his parents, two brothers, Floyd and Robert, and three sisters, Katie Sharp, Evalou Unbehaun, and Lida Ruth Perkins, who died in infancy.

Funeral services were held Feb. 10, at the Pratt Memorial Chapel. Pastors Tom Tarver and Craig Peach officiated and burial was in the Richland Center Cemetery.