Mildred E. Perington

1932 - 2024

Mildred E. Perington

March 3, 1932 - Jan. 13, 2024

DES MOINES , Iowa - Mildred E. Perington, age 91, Des Moines, IA, died on Saturday morning January 13, 2024.

Mildred was born March 3, 1932, in Ashmore township, IL. She was the daughter of Ike and Helen Moffett Myers. She was married to Neil W. Perington, June 24, 1956, at the Ashmore Presbyterian church.

Mildred was a graduate of Charleston High School, 1950, and Eastern Illinois University, 1954. A multi-sport athlete and Physical Education major in college, she taught briefly in Illinois after her graduation while her husband was in the US Army and completing an engineering degree at the University of Illinois. Neil and Mildred moved to Racine, WI, in 1957, and had three sons, Ronald, Philip, and Mark. The family moved to Des Moines, IA, in 1971, and in following years she returned to college and obtained a nursing diploma and LPN certification. She was a nurse-supervisor at Child-Serve in Johnston caring for special needs children. She later worked as a special education associate for the Des Moines School District. In 1992, she and her husband retired and returned to Ashmore township to build a home on her childhood farmland. Beyond the personal construction of their own home, their major project during those years was planting and caring for two plots of walnut trees on the family land. The farm was a haven for the families and grandchildren as they roamed the wooded areas and the creek winding through the property.

She was an elder in the Presbyterian church in Des Moines and active in choir and other activities in the Ashmore Presbyterian church. During her years in the Ashmore area, she was a member of the Charleston reading circle and served numerous years on the advisory board of the Eastern Illinois University student union and was a lifetime member of the EIU Alumni Association. In their retirement years, she and Neil enjoyed trips in their camper to various locations in the US and Canada along with visits to their children and to attend activities of grandchildren.

After her husband's death in 2013, she returned to Iowa in 2015 to be near her two sons and family in Johnston.

Mildred considered her roles as wife, mother, and grandmother to be her true profession. When living in Racine and Des Moines memorable hours were spent attending her son's school activities, swim meets, and camping trips, and trips to the family farm for reunion with family members.

She believed strongly in volunteer work and gave many hours of work to the public schools, her church, YMCA, Johnston Partnership, and other local organizations. She especially enjoyed her volunteer work in the elementary schools helping children with their reading and math skills as Gramma Millie. In later years, her major craft work was knitting 100 of winter caps for donation to children in need.

She is survived by Ron, Mark (Stephanie) Johnston, IA; and daughter-in-law, Julie Perington (Mike Conroy), Boulder, CO; grandchildren include: Madison and Charlie (Danielle), Jake (Amy), Sam (Kate), Ike, and Ella; and three great-grandsons: Oliver, Myer, and Liam. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Neil; son Philip; sister, Vera Ranzau; brothers: Palmer and Fred Myers; sisters-in-law: Nila Myers and Nola Myers.

A memorial service honoring and celebrating her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL, 61920, with Linda Trent officiating. Inurnment services at Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston will be private. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service on Saturday at Adams Funeral Chapel.

It is requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 91891, Washington, D.C. 20090; the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD, 21741; or to a charitable organization of the donor's preference.

To view the obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle or post photos, please visit www.adamsfuneralchapel.com.

Adams Funeral Chapel of Charleston, IL, is in charge of the arrangements.