Orville Wayne Perkins

Orville Wayne “Perkey” Perkins, age 89 of Niles, Michigan, formerly of Osceola, passed away December 8, 2020 while wintering in Casa Grande, Arizona.  Orville was born October 20, 1931 in Kokomo, Indiana.  His parents Frank Perkins and Emma (Peterson) Webster preceded him in death.  He attended LaSalle School in and then Main Jr. High before attending high school at Mishawaka High School.  At the age of 17, he enlisted in the US Army where he served with the Third Armor Division in Fort Knox, Kentucky and 18 months in Germany before being honorably discharged in June 1950.   On November 1, 1952 he married Aleta Longfield at the Osceola United Methodist Church.  They celebrated 51 wonderful years before her death on March 5, 2004.

Surviving are his sons Gary (Teresa) Perkins and Ken Perkins of Osceola, and his daughter in law Tina (Mark) Cramer of Niles, Michigan.  Surviving as well are 11 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, but Orville opened his heart to many and was fondly adopted by them as their own “grandpa.” He was preceded in death by his sons Dan and Rick Perkins and his sister Sarah Hall. 

Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the 2:00 pm funeral service on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Cruz Family Funeral Home in Osceola.  Interment and Military honors will follow in Osceola Cemetery.  To stream Orville's funeral service, please follow this link: http://us02web.zoom.us/j/5746748689  The virtual meeting room will open half an hour prior to the service.  A member of the Cruz Family Funeral Home IT team will admit friends and family into the service as they log in.  

Orville went to work as a truck driver at Norwalk Truck Line in South Bend from 1950-1968. He then went to Tucker Freight from 1969-1975 before moving on to Hoover Truck Line until his retirement in 1987.  Following his retirement Orville was also a delivery driver for the South Bend Tribune for 23 years.  For many years, Orville volunteered his time to the community delivering meals to the homebound through Meals on Wheels.

His memberships include the Teamsters Union 364 Retirees of South Bend and he attended the Osceola United Methodist Church since 1955 where he helped with their annual rummage sale until Aleta’s death. For the last 3 years, Orville attended Morris Chapel Church in Niles, Michigan.  He was also a lifetime member of the VFW Post 360 in Mishawaka. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Osceola United Methodist Church.  To leave a message of condolence, light a virtual candle, or view Perkey’s online video tribute, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above. 

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