Clell Perotka
Godfrey |
Clell Thomas Perotka, 89, died quietly and peacefully March 8, 2013, surrounded by loved ones in the Godfrey home he built for his family.
He was born on May 19, 1923, in East St. Louis, to John Thomas and Lennie Lee (Beaver) Perotka. On November 2, 1944, he married Dorothy Jean Heinlein. She survives. Clell was a US Navy veteran of both theaters of WWII. He was in business as a general contractor and a 65-year member of the Carpenters Union. He was also a lifetime member of the Godfrey Lions Club and the Caseyville VFW. He was a loving family man who also enjoyed woodcarving and woodworking. He displayed simple acts of kindness that left permanent smiles on the memories of many.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy, two sons, a daughter, and their spouses; Robert (Ted) and Betty, Rodger (Tom) and Karen of Alton, and Dr. Susan Perotka and Rylan Rydberg of Springfield, MO. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, seventeen great –grandchildren, and four great -great –grandchildren; two sisters, Dorcas Jahn of Mulberry Grove, and Joyce (Roger) Stough of Webster City, IA; and a brother Zack (Carole) Perotka of Edwardsville, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Lee Fern Russell, a brother, Wayne Perotka, and an infant granddaughter, Katherine Ann Perotka. As per his wishes the body will be donated to Washington University School of Medicine for education and scientific research.
Memorials may be directed to Godfrey Lions Club.
The Perotka family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Southwestern Illinois Dialysis Center who treated him like family. Also to BJC Hospice nurses and staff for their respect and kindness in caring for Clell’s end of life needs.
Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements.
Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com
Gent Funeral Home
