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FRANK L. PERNA Frank L. Perna, 75, Doe Valley, Brandenburg, died Dec. 19, 2005, in Louisville after a brief illness. He was born Sept. 1, 1930, in Batavia Ill., youngest son of Domenic and Antoinette (Manghisi) Perna. He attended Batavia elementary school. As a young man he worked in his father’s store, Batavia West Side Market, one of Batavia’s earliest businesses. He attended Marmion Military Academy, High School class of 1948. He attended Western Illinois University and graduated from Governor State University in 1975. He graduated from Officer Candidate School in November 1951 and was inducted into the Officers Hall of Fame in 1953. He served in the Korean War as a tank commander in the 40th brigade until 1954. He entered civilian life and retained his military status by serving in the United States Army Reserve. He owned Perna Shoes in Batavia for 20 years and was active in his community serving as the youngest president of Batavia’s Chamber of Commerce. He was awarded the citizen of the year award in 1969. His career included 31 years of service in the Army and the Active Reserve. He held positions of staff and command at all levels through the Brigade, and Division Chief of Staff. He attained the rank of colonel in 1972. Prior to his retirement, he was assigned to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense and the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel Department of the Army, Washington D.C. From 1983-1991 he worked as a civil service employee for the Department of the Navy as a senior logistics manager in the Tomahawk Cruise Missiles Project Office. He was awarded the civilian Meritorious Service medal for outstanding performance. He left Batavia in 1979 where he resumed his active military career at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with two Battle Stars, two Accommodation Medals, Army Meritorious Civil Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Navy Meritorious Service Medal for Civilians (the third highest medal in Civil Service) and the Enlisted Good Conduct Medal. He was an Honorary Kentucky Colonel and associated with Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign War Post 1197, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Knights of Columbus, Reserve officer Association, Loyal order of Moose Lodge 1177, American Legion Post 0504, Association of the United States Army, and United States Army Officer Candidate Alumni Association. He was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Brandenburg. He was preceded in death by his wife Ella Houchins, his parents, his brother, Angelo (Doris) Perna, and his sister Rose (Joseph) Steidl. Mr. Perna is survived by his children, Kathy (Randy) Barkei, Batavia, Ill., Jane Cherco, Brandenburg, Julie (Kent) Phillips, Batavia, Ill., Keri Perna, Albuquerque, N.M., Steve (Wendy) Perna, Grayslake, Ill.; Matt (Leah) Perna, Brandenburg, Chris (Stephanie) Perna, Brandenburg, and Adam Perna, Portland, Ore.; 17 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a close friend, Hazel Cundiff. Friends may call at Bruington-Jenkins-Sturgeon Funeral Home on Dec. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rosary service will be at 11:30 a.m. A reception will be held at St. John Church following the visitation. Interment will be in Batavia Ill. This Weeks Obituaries | Obituary Archives |
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