John Perkins, 79, of Cresco, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012, at his home surrounded by family.

John Perkins was born on April 13, 1933, in Lyle, Minn., to Randall and Selma (Johnson) Perkins. He lived in the Grafton, Iowa, and Lyle, Minn., area for many years. He was once married to Patricia (Gess) Perkins and in 1975 moved to Decorah, Iowa. On June 27, 1986, John married Ludmilla Stadler in Chelsea, Iowa, and they made their home in Cresco for more than 26 years.

Throughout his life, John worked in farming, was the owner of a small business called Perk’s Saving Center in Lyle and was a Motorcoach driver for Hawkeye Stages in Decorah for 32 years, retiring in 2006. He served as a volunteer fireman and city councilman, and was involved in various church activities over the years. John enjoyed sports, especially baseball and softball, and enjoyed fishing lakes in northern Minnesota. He always loved farming and spent each planting and harvest season helping his step-son and son-in-law work the fields. He loved spending time with family.

He is survived by his wife, Ludmilla of Cresco; daughters, Cynthia Corbin of Black River Falls, Wis., Marcia (Jim) Sewick of Waukon, Iowa, Lori Perkins of Independence, Iowa, and Renae (Randy) McIntosh of Decorah, Iowa; stepdaughters, Charlotte (Stan) Upah of Toledo, Iowa, Denise (Rick) Mills of Kansas City, Kan., Amy (Kevin) Brandt of Sumner, Iowa; stepson, Doug (Trish) Stadler of Chelsea; 24 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and sister, Helen Funk of Austin, Minn.

John was preceded in death by his parents, brother Allen Perkins and grandson Bob Bebee.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 24, 2012, at Notre Dame Catholic Church with Father Dennis Cahill officiating. Burial will be in Deer Creek Lutheran Cemetery, Carpenter, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m., with a parish Scripture service to follow, at the Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home, 404 N Elm St. in Cresco. The visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.