ILENE PERRIGO
Ilene (Oaks) Perrigo, 90, of Edina, Missouri, died Sunday morning, November 7, 2010, at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.
The daughter of Pierce Isaac and Anna Belle (Winget) Oaks, she was born in Leonard, Missouri, on June 30, 1920. On October 11, 1941, in Kirksville, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Dallas Wilson Perrigo and he preceded her in death on December 13, 2001. Also preceding her in death were her parents, one infant daughter, Margaret Perrigo, one grandson Darin Dwain Perrigo and two sisters Marie Duff and Opal Gander.
Ilene is survived by three children, Dwain Perrigo and his wife Ellen of Edina, Missouri, Dennis Perrigo of Oak Grove, Missouri, and Linda Scott and husband Richard of Kirksville, Missouri, three grandchildren, Nakisha Marie Perrigo and Eddie Nickell of Kansas City, Missouri, and Lauran Jessie Galloway and Hannah Claire Galloway, both of Lawrence, Kansas; and two great grandchildren, Jett Edward and Cash Douglas Nickell; two step grandchildren, Kevin Shanley and wife Tabitha of Edina, Missouri and Karen Shanley and her fiancé Kim Meinhardt of Memphis, Missouri, and several step great grandchildren and step great great grandchildren, one sister Leone Burnett Guajardo of Las Vegas, Nevada; one cousin, Marjory Mae Allison of Shelbyville, Missouri, and several nieces and nephews.
Ilene was raised in Leonard, Missouri. After graduating from Leonard High School she attended summer school at Kirksville College and taught two years in Shelby County rural school. Following her marriage, Ilene and Dallas moved to St. Louis, Missouri where they worked at the Curtis Wright Defense Factory until the end of the war. They moved to Edina, Missouri in 1948 to make their home. She raised registered Poodles and Scottish Terriers.
Ilene and Dallas had a country band called “Dallas and the Troubadours” and played at many dances for several years. Ilene played banjo, mandolin, and the juice harp.
In 1958 Ilene went to Kirksville College of Cosmetology and started “Ilene’s Beauty Shop” in 1959, out of their home for 44 years. She was a member of the Eastern Star, served as Chairperson and Treasurer of the Oats Committee, served on the Knox County Council on Aging (Edina Nutrition Site) for 26 years as President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. She volunteered 20 years for the United Methodist Church Clothes Closet and received the 2006 Governor’s Senior Citizen Award in Jefferson City, Missouri.
Ilene enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They were the joy of her life. Ilene’s life revolved around the Edina Nutrition Site. She was a master quilter and thoroughly enjoyed quilting and time spent with friends at the Site. She was a very avid bingo player, playing every chance she got. She rarely missed a St. Louis Cardinal ballgame whether it was by TV or radio.
Funeral services were held 1p.m. Thursday, November 11, 2010, at the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, Missouri. Pastor Sam Smith officiated the services. Music was provided by Audrey Hamlin and Debbie Peters, soloists and Carol Hayes, organist. Burial was in Park View Memorial Gardens at Kirksville, Missouri. Casket bearers were Bruce Mason, Doug Perrigo, Frank Crabtree, Jack Vaughn, Don Woodward and Richard Clark. Honorary bearers were Judy Pearce, Phyllis Murray, Jeanne Perrigo, Lucia Tarvydas, Anna Harris, Eleanor Binkley and Gerry Young.
Memorials in memory of Ilene Perrigo may be made to the Knox County Nutrition Site. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, Missouri, 63537.
