George D. Perisho

He was born February 28, 1918 in Paris, IL to Calvin Edward and Beatrice Evelyn (Bouslog) Perisho. He married Margaret Elizabeth Wehking on May 25, 1940 in Hoyleton, IL. Margaret preceded George, passing away on April 26, 2010. They were married for almost 70 years.

Surviving are two sisters, Dorothy Haney of Herndon, VA and Mae Baldridge of Phoenix, AZ. His sister, Marjorie Miller, preceded him in death.

Also Surviving are three sons, Ray (Mary Beth) Perisho of Doylestown, PA, Ron (Kathy) of San Ramon, CA, and Russ (Caroline) of Poulsbo, WA; six grandchildren: Mike (Jeremy) Perisho of Stow, MA and their children, Bret and Brooke; Deanna (Rick) Hill of Tolland, CT and their children, Kaitlyn, Ryan and Keira; David (Nichole) Perisho of Whitefish, MT and their son, Blake; Deborah Perisho of Doylestown, PA; Alysha Perisho of Seattle, WA; and Nicolle (Adam Yates) Perisho of Indianola, WA.

George grew up on a dairy farm near Paris, IL. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Dairy Science in 1940, and continued as a loyal Illini with season basketball tickets since the 1950’s. George was honored to be a Borden Dairy Boy at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. He helped care for Elsie the cow and other top-producing dairy cattle milked in a then-futuristic circular milking machine in front of Fair visitors.

Margaret and George worked as a pair throughout their lives, beginning at the University of Vermont Dairy Farm. Later on a large dairy in Kansas, Margaret was the first woman hired to test cattle for TB. In Rhode Island, George was the herdsman and Margaret the dietician at the state penitentiary and mental hospital near Providence.

George spent his life helping farmers use best practices and scientific research (often from the University of Illinois) to better their crops and livestock. In 1948, he began his career as an Agriculture Extension Agent serving in Bond, Ogle and Peoria Counties. Later he worked for the Peoria County Farm Bureau. As an agriculture expert, he wrote a column on gardening and agriculture for the Peoria Journal Star.

In 1958, he helped found the Peoria Area Wool Pool, a local cooperative of sheep farmers, to bring higher wool prices. George judged cattle, sheep and wool shows at fairs. He encouraged city and farm interactions. Over 100,000 children enjoyed his sheep shearing demonstrations in the Peoria area schools for over forty years. Although he started as a dairyman, he was known in Peoria for his expertise in raising sheep. His sheep were often seen in the middle of church and school Christmas displays.

George gave dedicated service to his community, being active in the Hanna City Methodist Church for 50 years and serving on the Heart of Illinois Fair Board for 45 years. He was proud of his 60+ years of perfect attendance and community service through Peoria Kiwanis which continued to this year. He belonged to the Masonic Lodge in Farmington, IL. George organized activities for rural youth, working tirelessly with 4-H programs, Boy Scouts and other youth groups.

George and Margaret loved to travel visiting family and friends around the country. They were leaders for Rural Route Tours to Australia, Germany, Scandinavia, and Alaska. Like many farmers he could talk about agriculture problems and methods with farmers around the world.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at the Hanna City Methodist Church with Revs. Bob DeBolt and Joy Schlesselman officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria and also 30 minutes before services at the Church on Wednesday.

Memorial donations may be made to his church- Hanna City United Methodist Church, Peoria Kiwanis Foundation, or Farmington Academic Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.Davison-Fulton.com.