Mr. Jack E. Perry, 87, of Dallas City, IL passed away at 6:31 PM Thursday, February 21, 2019 at the Heritage House in Carthage, IL surrounded by family following a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born May 19, 1931 in Keokuk, IA, the son of Leonard and Edna Alley Perry. On November 17, 1956 he married Kathryn Morrow in Keokuk, IA.

Jack Perry enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country proudly during the Korean War while obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant upon his Honorable Discharge in 1954. Following the Korean War, Jack came back to his hometown of Carthage and farmed with his father until 1961. At that time he took residence in Dallas City and he began his career with the Ortho Chemical Company, a subsidiary of Chevron located in Ft. Madison, IA, and continued working in the Operations department until his retirement in 1990. Throughout his life, Jack maintained a healthy lifestyle and his children all have fond memories of him exercising at home and bicycling around town. He and his wife both enjoyed going to the YMCA on a regular basis to swim and work out together. He and his wife operated Kays Antiques and Things for many years after his retirement while going to auctions, flea markets and setting up in antique malls all over S.E. Iowa, Missouri and Western Illinois. Jack spent the last 11 years providing daily loving care for his wife. He was a proud, strong man with a very kind heart and soul that would gladly help anyone out at any time, as demonstrated through the years for his wife, family and community.

Jack had been a member of the former Dallas City United Methodist Church where he was very active and held many positions within the church. He was currently a member of the Durham United Methodist Church.

He is survived by five children, Jim (Natalie) Perry of Effingham, IL, John (Teresa) Perry of Fort Madison, IA, Jenny Patten of St. Charles, MO, Jeff Perry of Madison, AL and Jason (Cheryl) Perry of Fort Madison, IA, ten grandchildren, Renee (Jason) Kihne, Ashley (Mike) Janis, Jamie (Matt) Jones, Johnna (Danny) Boggess, Joshua (Natalie) Perry, Jarod (Karree) Patten, Julia (Luca) Patten, Jake Perry, Jillian Perry and Rebekah Perry, fourteen great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Gabe, Cory, Max, Owen, Maelynn, Maverick, Jenna Kay, Alyssa, Isabella, Samantha, Madison, Amelia and Lincoln.

Also surviving are 2 sisters, Judy Jahnke of Green Valley, AZ and Linda (Jerry) Skiles of Raleigh, North Carolina and several nieces, nephews and cousins

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at Banks and Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City with Rev. Jim Clayton officiating. Burial, with military rites, will be in the Harris Cemetery near Dallas City. The family will meet with friends, Wednesday, from noon until time of services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the Heritage House.