ELLISBURG, NY — Elmer E. Perry, 86, Ellisburg, passed away Thursday afternoon, Dec. 27, 2018, with his family at his side.
The funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, at the Ellisburg United Methodist Church with Pastor Mark Strader officiating. Spring burial with military honors will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Town of Henderson.
Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, at the Carpenter-Stoodley Funeral Home, Belleville.
Elmer was born in Athens, TN, on April 15, 1932, a son to Marion H. and Louisa Bohannon Perry. He left high school before graduating to serve during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952 and was attached to the 101st Airborne Division.
Following his honorable discharge, he continued his military service with the Army Reserves with the 479th Engineering Battalion in Watertown. He was honorably discharge from the reserves in May of 1990 after 21 years of service. Elmer received his general education diploma from Belleville Henderson Central School under the “Operation Restoration” program established for Korean War Veterans who left school early to serve, graduating and participating in the ceremonies with the high School class of 2016.
He married Stella Card on Oct. 27, 1951 at Asbury Methodist Church in Watertown. Mrs. Perry, affectionately know as “Mimi”, passed away December 30, 2009.
Mr. Perry was a member of the Carpenters and Glaziers Union, Local 278, Watertown as a glazier, installer and fabricator for Pittsburg Paint and Glass, Paragon Glass and Northern Glass, all of Watertown, retiring in April of 2006. He was known at Northern Glass as the “wise old owl” for his ability to solve and troubleshoot problems that arose on the job.
Elmer attended the Ellisburg Methodist Church and was a member of the Adams VFW and the Don Rounds American Legion Post.
He enjoyed riding motorcycles, traveling, hunting, fishing and camping.
Mr. and Mrs. Perry were members of the East Coast Resorts Travel Group for many years.
Mr. Perry is survived by his children Debbie (Wayne) Gillette, Black River, Vicky Lent, Clayton, Lou Ann (Michael) Gleason, Ellisburg, Eldon (Debbie) Perry, Watertown, Donna Jo (Albert) Dowker, Adams, Tim (Terry) Perry, Sackets Harbor; 22 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren; three brothers, William, Marion, Jr. and Jerry, all of Tennessee; many nieces and nephews.
Four brothers, Vernon, Rolin, Allen and Eldon, all predeceased him.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601.
Online condolences may be made at www.carpenterstoodley.com
