Mike Perkins

MIKE PERKINS

Mike Perkins, 56,of Smithville, Mo., passed away, Thursday, September 15, 2005.

David M. Perkins was born on March 17th, 1949 in Kansas City, MO. He lived in Lineville, IA until moving with his family to Smithville, MO as a freshman in high school. He graduated from Smithville High School in 1967 and attended college at Northwest Missouri State University, receiving a bachelor?s degree in music education in 1972. He served in the United States Army and was a member of the 371st Army Band at Fort Leavenworth, KS.

He was united in marriage to Diana Lynn Bender on November 24th, 1973. After teaching music in Stewartsville for 3 years, he moved to Smithville to assume his role as Maintenance Supervisor for the Smithville R-II School District, where he has served for 27 years. During this time he earned his Master?s degree in School Administration and began work on his Education Specialist degree.

Mike was a devoted husband, father, and son. He was an active member of Grace Community Church. He loved church music and spent many years directing and singing in choirs as well as serving as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He is known for coaching youth soccer, tilling gardens, woodworking, visiting at the local coffee shop and fixing anything from cars to air conditioning units. His favorite pastimes were exploring the United States on his Honda Goldwing motorcycle and chasing his kids around the world with his wife.

On September 15, 2005, Mike went home to heaven. His life glorified Christ, whom he loved and served and Christ will be glorified by his home-going.

Mike is survived by his wife, Diana, of the home, three children: Michelle Diane Perkins, Minneapolis, MN; Kelley Lynn Perkins, Chattanooga, TN; Timothy Michael Perkins, Liberty, MO: his mother, Dorothy Perkins, Smithville, MO: two brothers: Dan Perkins and wife, Penny, Kearney, MO; Mark Perkins and wife, Kitty Sheeren, Austin, TX: mother-in-law, Bettie J. Bender, Smithville, MO, along with aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, many friends.

Funeral Services: 6:30 p.m. Monday, September 19th at the Smithville High School Gymnasium, Smithville, Mo.
Graveside Service: 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at Ridgely Cemetery, Ridgely, Mo.
Visitation: 5:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday at the Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville.

In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Grace Community Church, Smithville.