Obituary published on Legacy.com by Goodwin-Cale & Harnish Memorial Chapel on Feb. 7, 2026.
Paul Eugene Perry Jr., 67, of Ossian, passed away Saturday morning, February 7, 2026, at River Terrace Retirement Community in Bluffton.
Paul was born in Bluffton on July 31, 1958, to Paul E. Sr. and Barbara A. (Bertsch) Perry. Both parents preceded him in death. He married Debra D. "Deb" Worman on September 8, 1979, in Petroleum. She survives in Ossian.
Paul proudly served in the United States Navy from January 1977 to December 1985, achieving an Honorable Discharge as Petty Officer 1st Class (E6). He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal, two Good Conduct Awards, a Navy Expeditionary Medal, Sea Service Award, Unit Citation, and 14 letters of commendation.
He retired from Sodexo as Director of Facilities at Northwestern Michigan College in
Traverse City, MI. Prior to this, Paul worked as Director of Facilities for Sodexo at Indiana Wesleyan University in
Marion, IN. He also dedicated 20 years of service at Caylor-Nickel Medical Center in Bluffton.
Paul was a graduate of Bluffton High School in 1976 and graduated with a BA from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2006.
His faith was important to him, and he and his wife worshipped at the Petroleum Community Church. Paul was devoted to his family and active in the community.
For 12 years, Paul was a proud volunteer firefighter on the Nottingham Township Fire Department and as an EMT on the Wells County EMS. He served as chairman of the Wells County EOC. As a young father he was a leader for the Boy Scouts and spent many years as a t-ball coach.
Paul enjoyed working 20 years with his in-laws, Bob and Wilma Worman, on the Worman's Christmas Tree Farm in Nottingham Township. In his free time, Paul enjoyed being outdoors golfing, fishing, and target shooting.
Along with his wife, Paul is survived by his sons Joshua (Kay) Perry of
Ossian, IN, and Justin Perry of
Traverse City, MI.
He is also survived by his sister Teresa Garrett of Auburn, IN, grandson Salem Perry of Michigan, nephews and nieces Zachary Hayden, Christopher Hayden, Daniel Perry, Tabatha Bates, Chloie Hindenlang, and several great-nieces and nephews, along with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
In addition to his parents, Paul is preceded in death by his grandparents, Earl (Ruth) Perry, Daniel (Gertrude) Bertsch, brother Daniel D. Perry, sister Kimiko L. Hayden, and nephew Andrew Perry.
Visitation will be Thursday, February 12, 2026, from 3:00 until 4:00 PM, at the Petroleum Community Church 3625 E. 2nd St, Petroleum, Indiana, 46778. A memorial service will be held immediately following the visitation at 4:00 PM. Pastor Greg Andrews will officiate. Burial will take place at Stahl Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial donations in memory of Paul may be made to the Petroleum Community Church.