John Perona

John Kenneth Perona

Age 82 of Coal City passed away Thursday January 22, 2015 at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.

Born June 9, 1932 in Joliet, John Kenneth was a son of the late John Americo and Ione Fabry (Phelps) Perona. He was raised and educated in Coal City; entered the United States Navy Reserved in December of 1950, and went into active duty from 1951 through 1957. It was during the timeframe of 1956 to 1958 that John served as a Navy Recruiter and was honorably discharged in 1962. Throughout his tenure of service John earned a Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation and Korean Presidential Citation as well as medals for good conduct, China service, Japanese occupation, United Nations, Korean service and National Defense.

John's career with Illinois State Police began in 1964 and entailed 25 years of faithful service until his retirement in 1989. During that time he received the Governor's Award for Valor, Governor's Award for Excellence, Life Saving Award, Superintendent Award for Valor and Directors Award for Merit, as well as numerous other commendations. John also served for the Grundy County Sheriff's Office for 12 years.

He was a member of the Coal City Emergency Squad for more than 25 years, served as a Diamond Commissioner for 4 years and was a director with Mazon State Bank for 10 years. John was a member of the American Legion in Scottsdale, Arizona and the Coal City V.F.W.

Survivors include his two daughters: Alison (Greg Baiocchi) Perona of Chicago and Claire (Wayne) Arndt of Seneca; two grandsons: Jacob (Diana) Vestal and Nathan (Amanda) Shain, both of Coal City; four great grandchildren: Damen Vestal, Gaven Vestal, Tanner Shain and Carter Shain, and one sister Monica (Charles) Pottier of Scottsdale, Arizona, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents and wife Mary Elaine (nee Ryan) whom he married September 7, 1957.

The family will receive friends on Thursday January 29, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block north of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City. A procession will then depart the funeral home to Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, where full military honors and committal services will be rendered at 12:00 noon.

Pallbearers will be Greg Baiocchi, Wayne Arndt, Jacob Vestal, Nathan Shain, Bob Allen and Jim White.

A memorial reception will follow the cemetery service at Diamond Hall.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in John's memory to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Illinois Chapter, 651 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, IL 60661 (www.lls.org)

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City. (815-634-2125)