John Perino

SPRING VALLEY — John R. “Buddy” Perino, 79, of 502 W. Minnesota, Spring Valley, died at 8:55 p.m. Thursday, March 11, 2010, at home following a lengthy illness.

Born March 20, 1930, in Spring Valley to John J. and Mary (Nemetz) Perino, he married Delores Despain Jan. 26, 1952, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Spring Valley. She survives.

He was a systems technician for Ameritech until retiring. He was a 1948 graduate of Hall High School and attended the University of Illinois.

He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Spring Valley, Spring Valley American Legion, Annawan 40 + 8 Club, Rock Falls Rod and Gun Club, AT&T Telecommunications Pioneers and the IBEW. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, serving four years in the Korean War as a staff sergeant.

Also surviving are three sons, John W. Perino of Chicago, Mark S. Perino of Westerly, R.I., and Gary A. (Ruth) Perino of Tega Cay, S.C.; one daughter, Kathy (Jim) Mix of Spring Valley; one sister, Mary Lou (Ren) Eilers of Washington; and six grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Barto Funeral Home, Spring Valley, and at 10 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Spring Valley, with the Rev. Robert Spilman officiating. Burial will be in Valley Memorial Park, Spring Valley, with military graveside rites conducted by the Ladd American Legion.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with an American Legion service at 6 p.m.