Johnnie Perkins

Johnnie Perkins

Johnnie Perkins, 80, of Unionville, MO, passed away at the Putnam County Care Center on Monday, January 25, 2010. He had been a resident there for a brief time following complications from surgery in early December.
Johnnie Lee Perkins was born in Putnam County, MO, on May 3, 1929, the son of George and Jessie Perkins, who preceded him in death. Johnnie attended rural schools in Putnam County and graduated from Unionville High School in 1947. He worked for John Deere in Ottumwa, IA, until he married Livina VanVelzer on May 18, 1950. Johnnie then worked on a farm in western Iowa for a year before he and Livina returned to Putnam County. He soon began working for Dick Williamson in the gas and oil business and then worked for Harold Cullum driving a gas tank wagon. He eventually bought the business and named it Perkins Oil Company. Johnnie also owned and operated Johnnie’s DX Service station. He sold these businesses in 1991 and worked briefly in construction before beginning work at Comstock (later Newman) Funeral Home in Unionville. He then worked at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home when Newman Funeral Home closed.
Johnnie was well known in Putnam County and well thought of. His congenial spirit and easy smile made him easily likable. He liked people and was always concerned about the welfare of others. Johnnie was a loving father and grandfather and a special husband. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Unionville and had previously been a member of the Jaycees and Rotary. He had been a scout leader and had served on several boards, including the Unionville Cemetery Board and the Putnam County Care Center board.
Johnnie is survived by his wife, Livina, and children: Connie Green of Pleasant Valley, MO; Donna Riddick (John Glen) of Centerville, IA; and Bob Perkins and wife Leigh of Liberty, MO. Johnnie’s grandchildren are J. C. (Dawn) McMorrow, Andrea (Mike) McMorrow, Mike (Kelly) McClure, Joani (Josh) Henderson, Morgan Perkins, Sydney Perkins, Grant Perkins. Great grandchildren are Keenan McClure, Kylee Joiner, McKinley McClure, Graham McMorrow, Olivia McMorrow, Luke McMorrow, Blake Zimmerman, and Madik Henderson. Johnnie is also survived by a sister, Mary Roof Smith and husband Glen of Unionville, MO and a brother, Riley Perkins and wife Darlene of Liberty, MO, brother-in-law James VanVelzer and sister-in-law Anna Borin and her husband Bill.
Johnnie was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Wayne Roof, a son-in-law, Tom Riddick, and two brothers-in-law, Gene VanVelzer and Everett VanVelzer.
Memorials are suggested to the Putnam County Care Center or the PC Café and Resource Center and may be entrusted to the Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.