Phillip “Mike” Perry

Phillip M. “Mike” Perry of Hendersonville N.C. entered into his eternal rest on Saturday, January 8, 2022.

Born on July 15, 1937 in Morris, IL to Calvin and Florence (Killham) Perry, he received his education in Morris schools, graduating from Morris Community High School with the Class of 1955.

Upon graduation, he began a 39 career with Federal Paper Board. He started as a pressman at Morris and was foreman of the printing department when he re-located to Elkhart, Indiana in 1980. In 1988, he was relocated again, this time to Hendersonville, N.C. and at the time of his retirement in 1994 was Plant Superintendent.

At the age of 13, he met the love of his life, Sarah A Johnson. Mike and Sarah were married on September 20, 1958 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris, IL.  Together, they raised five children. They were married 61 years.

Mike was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hendersonville, the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), and Great Smokey Mountain Region Car Club (GSMR). Mike enjoyed woodworking, grooming his yard and flower beds and antique cars, especially his 1950 Willy’s Jeepster. He loved his family deeply and cherished spending time with them. He was a friend to everyone he met.

He is survived by four children; Diane Rogers, Marjorie Bigbie, Andrew and Tracy Perry of Hendersonville and David and Chris Perry of Morris, IL; nine grandchildren, Karen and Scott Kindelspire, Russell and Carmen Rogers, Noah Perry, Clayton M. and Nicole Crowley, Ben Crowley, Sarah and Justin Wilbern all of Illinois and Amanda Bigbie and Emily Perry and Eric Perry of North Carolina; 24 great-grandchildren with two on the way and 5 great-great grandchildren with two on the way.

He was preceded in death by his wife Sarah in 2020, his daughter, Elizabeth in 2004; a grandson, Nathaniel in 1987; his parents; his brother, C. Gene and his wife Marcia; sister, Sylvia Close and her husband Richard; brother, John L.; brother-in-law, Harry Mitchell, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Carter.

A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held with only immediate family in attendance and a Celebration of Life will take place in the spring with a date yet to be determined.

Memorial gifts may be made in Mike’s name to Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville, GSMR Memorial Scholarship, or to Four Seasons Compassion for Life.

The service may be viewed by clicking the link below.

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