In Loving Memory

We lovingly remember William Henry Perry Sr. and Irene “Irja” Marie (Hakala) Perry, along with their children and other family members who are no longer with us. Their stories, humor, and kindness live on in all of us.

William & Irene Perry

William Henry Perry Sr. (1910–1970) was born in Crystal Falls, Michigan, the son of Cornish immigrants Andrew Stevens Perry and Annie (Perry) Perry. He grew up in the mining locations of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and spent much of his working life in and around the iron ore mines near Ishpeming and Negaunee, first as a blacksmith and later as a pumpman. In his later years, William and Irene moved to the Farwell, Michigan area, where they ran a small gas station and store near a lake that the oldest grandchildren remember visiting.

Irene “Irja” Marie (Hakala) Perry (1911–2006) was born Irja Maria Hakala in the Princeton Location near Ishpeming, Michigan, to Finnish immigrants Jacob Nestor Hakala and Maria Eliina (Oja) Hakala. She grew up in a large Finnish-American family in the Forsyth/Princeton area, one of nine children on a small farm and mining-location community. When she started school, her given name “Irja” was anglicized to “Irene,” and that is how most of us knew her for the rest of her life. William and Irene married in October 1939 in Ishpeming and went on to raise nine children. In later years Irene lived in Midland, Pinckneyville, and Lansing, often sharing a home with her children and grandchildren, keeping the heart of the Perry family together even as it spread from Michigan to Missouri, Florida, and beyond.

Remembering Their Children

William H. “Bill” Perry Jr. (1939–2015)

Born in Ishpeming in 1939, and the eldest of William and Irene’s nine children, Bill grew up in the U.P. before later making his home in Midland, Michigan. He worked for Dow Chemical as a pipefitter/multi-craftsman for 30 years, where coworkers knew him as “the Admiral.” After retiring, he continued to work part-time and remained active at Trinity Lutheran Church. He was known for his quiet humor, steady presence, and deep devotion to his wife, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

John Alan Perry (1942–2025)

John was born in Negaunee, Michigan, and carried his U.P. roots with him through a life that eventually led to Maryland Heights, Missouri. He was a son, brother, dad, grandpa, and uncle, and his life bridged Michigan, Illinois, and Missouri. John had a quick wit and a gift for storytelling, especially about growing up in National Mine and the U.P. At our 2026 reunion we’ll gather for a Celebration of Life to share stories, photos, and memories of John and the many ways he made us laugh and feel at home.

Garry B. Perry (1944–2007)

Garry built a career as a certified public accountant in Florida, spending more than two decades with a Lakeland CPA firm before moving to Illinois to serve as chief financial officer for his brother’s company. He made his home in Tampa with his wife and their children. Garry is remembered for his work ethic, dry wit, and love for his extended family, and for keeping close ties with his Michigan roots even while living in the sunshine.

Elizabeth “Liz” Ann Perry (1950–2018)

Liz was born in September 1950 in Ishpeming and grew up in National Mine as the second youngest Perry sibling. As an adult she spent many years in Pinckneyville, Illinois, later living in the St. Louis area and in Lansing, Michigan. She often shared her home with family, including her mother, Irene, and played a big role in helping care for her in later years. Liz is remembered as a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, and we honor her alongside her parents and brothers.

Photos & Stories Welcome

This is only a beginning. If you would like a specific loved one honored by name or photo, please reach out to Sarah. We can include them in the Celebration of Life, the slideshow, or a memory area at the reunion so that every branch of the family tree is represented.

Photos (old or new) are especially welcome. Printed, digital, phone snapshots, or studio portraits – anything that feels like “them.” If you’d like, you can email photos and short memories to:

skat1403@gmail.com

If you only have printed photos, you can bring them to the reunion and we’ll make sure they’re scanned or photographed so they can be part of the shared family collection.