John A. Perry

Tomah, Wisconsin- John Andrew Perry age 88 passed away peacefully at the Tomah Veterans Administration Hospice Care Facility on Monday June 3rd.

John was born on December 22, 1930, the eldest child of Andrew Solvay and Helen Cornelia (Reed) Perry.

Living in Oneida, New York for 18 years John graduated high school in 1948 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving 5 years on active duty with stations in Morocco, the U.S.S Midway (CVB-41) and Atlantic City, N.J.

John had a lengthy military career not only with the navy where he earned the rank of Yeoman Second Class, but also with the Army Reserve and National Guard.  After receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant of infantry John served in the National Guard as well as the U.S. Army Reserve ultimately medically retiring at the rank of Major in 1985. 

A graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in Public Communications, John began a long career in higher education teaching and administration holding various positions at Keuka College in Keuka Park, N.Y., Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL. (Two separate times); Hamline University, St. Paul, M.N.; Saint Norbert College, DePere, WI.; The former Mount Senario College, Ladysmith, WI; Dowling Catholic High School, Des Moines, IA.; College Misericordia, Dallas, PA.; and Western Nebraska Community College, Scottsbluff, NE where he retired with emeritus status in 1997.

Married to his childhood sweetheart for over 56 years Virginia Jean (Earl) Perry the couple had two children. Deborah Ann born in 1956 and Charles Andrew born in 1957.  Virginia preceded John in death passing away in 2010.

Perry is survived by his daughter Deborah Ann (Perry) Moore and her husband Kevin of Sparta, WI. And his son Charles Andrew Perry and fiancée Brenda Diedrich-Long of Holcombe, WI.  Two grandchildren, Lucas Earl Moore and his spouse Andrea of Madison WI. and William Glenn Moore and his fiancée Natalie also of Madison, a  younger brother Richard Lee and spouse Laurie Perry of Ormand Beach Florida and a very special care giver of many years Amanda McCready. 

Visitation will be held on Sunday evening June 9th from 5pm until 7 pm.  Friends can call at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, 106 West Franklin Street, Sparta, WI. A celebration of John’s life will be held at 11 am on Monday June 10th also at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home with Pastor Loretta Waughtal officiating. A luncheon with full military honors held after the celebration at the Sparta Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2112 at 121 South Rusk, Sparta, WI. Online condolences may be offered to John’s family at www.schanhoferfh.com

The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John A. Perry, please visit our floral store.