Lennis E. Perkins

LENNIS E. PERKINS, 92 of Wilmington, Ohio, died peacefully on March 25, 2025, in Knoxville, TN. His wife, Janet Jones Perkins preceded him in death on November 11, 2016. They had been married 61 years at the time of her death.

Len (Perk) Perkins was a man dedicated to his family, friends and community. He was born on July 21, 1932, and raised on the Perkins family farm in Nicholsville, Ohio. His parents were Elmo & Elizabeth McNair Perkins. His parents passed in 1987 and 1999, and he lost an infant sister in 1935. It was on the farm where he learned the value of hard work, the importance of community and living a clean life.

Len is survived by his daughter, Lynette Perkins Schoeck (Rob Schoeck) of Vonore, Tennessee and a grandson, Brad Schoeck of Nashville, Tennessee. Also, sister-in law Karol Jones, Mike Jones (Deana), Judi Fizer (Ralph Jr.), & Gary Jones (Michelle) of Wilmington, “adopted” dear family friends the Berlin & Nichols families and Emily Gerard & Aimee Gerard Willetts.

Perk was very family oriented. His parents and cousins meant everything to him, and he loved going to family reunions. Great people and good food. He taught his only daughter how to play softball, use power and woodworking tools and how to drive a tractor. The trips to the farm topped their list of favorite places to go – they usually drug Janet along - she was more of a city girl at heart which at times was very comical! Teaching son-in-law Rob (from New York) about the ways of farm life was also a lot of fun. He learned quickly and fit right in. Rob LOVED Grandma’s cooking especially after a hard, hot day in the fields.

In 1950, after Len graduated from Bethel-Tate High School, he enrolled in Wilmington College, where he met lifelong friends. He was the Student Senate President and was very active in Gamma Phi Gamma Fraternity (Gobblers) until his death. He majored in Engineering Management which led to an internship and a 34-year career with Cincinnati Milacron. He was the plant manager at the Wilmington facility for several years prior to his retirement. After that, he became licensed in Real Estate in the State of Ohio and was affiliated with both Bennett Realty and Borton-McDermott Realty. He started the Berlin Acres Housing Development & retired from selling real estate in 2011.

He diligently kept in touch with people who he grew up with near Bethel Ohio, friends fromWilmington College, fraternity brothers, Milacron employees and his golf buddies. Up until his death, he had a weekly call with an old friend/neighbor who was also 92.

Len also loved attending his daughter’s softball and sporting events. He & Janet once drove six high school cheerleaders to camp in West Virginia – all of them in one car! They also loved to go to Indianapolis to see grandson Brad play hockey & soccer. They were wonderful grandparents to Brad and the Schoeck dogs Charlie, Vern, Bandit & Smokey. Son-in-Law Rob is an architect who designed hospitals for a living.

Len and Janet were at every hospital grand opening to see Rob’s projects. Len & Janet were actively involved with their friends and remained so for years. They were avid golfers and enjoyed their time at Snow Hill Country Club. They also enjoyed many memorable golf trips to Tennessee, North Carolina, Indiana and throughout Ohio. They purchased a golf villa in 1998 at Rarity Bay Country Club in Vonore, TN so that they could play golf year-round. This is the same neighborhood where the Schoeck’s live today.

Len came to Wilmington in 1950 and lived there until his health declined in February of this year and he moved to Knoxville to be near family. Wilmington was his home for 75 years and he seemed to know everyone. He ran errands and went to Kroger every day - mostly to socialize! You could say that Perk never met a stranger. Anywhere in the country that he went, he would somehow find a person that he knew or went to school with or played golf with, etc. His daughter and grandson are very much like him in this way.

What characterized Lennis was his commitment to serving his community in multiple aspects. Len was a great communicator and fund raiser for many businesses and non-profits. Most recently he advocated for Habitat for Humanity, he was extremely interested in genealogy and had numerous contacts who shared notes and info. Lyne has now inherited his MANY notebooks & charts of information!

In 2017, at age 85 he was honored as the Habitat for Humanity Volunteer of the Year for the State of Ohio. Attendees were so shocked that he was still volunteering at that age that they gave him a standing ovation!!

Perk was the PAST PRESIDENT of Wilmington College National Alumni Assoc., Wilmington College “Varsity W”, Wilmington Lion’s Club, Snow Hill Country Club, Clinton County Historical Society, Clinton County Genealogy Society, Murphy Theater and Leadership Clinton.

He also served as a BOARD MEMBER for the Murphy Theatre, Clinton County United Way, & Wilmington United Methodist Church, Leadership Clinton, Clinton County Foundation, Cape May Advisory Board and Habitat for Humanity and was a Charter Member of Gamma Phi Gamma Foundation.

Lennis led FUNDRAISING DRIVES for Clinton County United Way & Special Gifts Division, First Christian Church of Wilmington Finance Committee, Wilmington College, Clinton County Historical Society, United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity, Gamma Phi Gamma Foundation, YMCA Fund Drive & Steering Committee, Murphy Theatre Fund Drive, and Ramseyer Support Fund Drive.

The family will receive friends on Saturday MAY 17, 2025, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Brown Funeral Home, 237 W. Main St, Wilmington, Ohio.

If desired, donations can be made to:

• Habitat for Humanity, 1032 W Main St, Wilmington Ohio 45177 or on their website clintonhabitat.org

• Wilmington College Office of Advancement, 1870 Quaker Way, Pyle Box 1307, Wilmington Ohio 45177 or their link: www.Wilmington.edu

Condolences can be sent to 173 Heron Ct, Vonore TN 37885 or to lyneschoeck@gmail.com.

Brown Funeral Home, Wilmington, is assisting the family.

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