Opal M. Perko

Opal M. Perko, 96, of Wainwright, died unexpectedly but peacefully in her home on Sunday, January 5, 2014 just one week prior to her 97th birthday.

One of 10 children born to the late Roy and Nora (Dowdle) Edie, Opal was born January 12, 1917 at Wainwright, Ohio.

Opal attended Nineveh School and then graduated from Tuscarawas Warwick High School in 1934. On May 1, 1938 she married Joseph E. Perko and together the couple raised 12 children. The couple shared 46 years of marriage prior to Joe’s passing in January of 1984.

She was a homemaker and she enjoyed sewing for her family. Opal was an avid reader and she also enjoyed crossword puzzles, gardening and baking and she was well known for her famous popcorn balls. She was a member of the former St. Therese Catholic Church at Wainwright where she was also a longtime member of the Altar Society. Opal was currently a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Dennison.

Surviving is her children, Rose Manbeck and Sharon Perko of Wainwright, Dan (Pam) Perko of Fry’s Valley, Joe (Carol) Perko of Leesville, Ann (Helon) Miller of Ragersville, Peg (Herb) Lona and Lucy (Craig) Krieger both of Wisconsin, Patricia (Ron) Tristano of Barberton, Ohio, Flo Spangler of Dover, Agnes (Mike) Nelson of Montana and Alice (Bill) Dowdle of Scio; 22 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; a sister, Ferne (Jack) Robinson of Uhrichsville and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Opal was preceded in death by a daughter, Sylvia Smitley in January of 1992; a grandson, Joseph Perko III in January 2001; five sisters and five brothers.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 9, 2014 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia with a Christian Wake service being held at 6:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 10, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church at New Philadelphia with Father Jeff Coning officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following the committal service a luncheon will be held in St. Ambrose Hall at the church.

Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Opal by visiting the funeral home website.