Gregory "Greg" Gene Perham

Gregory “Greg” Gene Perham, 70, of Edelstein, ended his hard fought eight-year battle with cancer at 6:00 pm on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Carle Health Hospital, at which time he entered into eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was surrounded by family.

He was born on February 24, 1954, the oldest son of David Lee Perham and Wilma Jean (Baer) Perham. Greg married Christine "Chris" Crull on August 30, 1975 in Peoria. She survives. Greg is also survived by his three children, Matthew (Jennifer) Perham of Laura, Faith (Steve) Gray of Glasford and Joni (David) Chenault of Chillicothe; 10 grandchildren, Autumn, Xander, Cash, Ryker, Cole, Wyatt, Kiah, Zeke, Dollar and Strider; two brothers, Roger (Lisa) Perham of Chillicothe and Daniel (Jessica) Perham of Peoria; and many nieces and nephews. Greg was preceded in death by his parents and one granddaughter, Evynne Faith Chenault.

He was a graduate of Illinois Valley Central High School, Class of 1972.

Upon graduating, he moved to Wyoming and cowboyed on the XH Ranch and led hunting expeditions in the winters. His son followed in his footsteps 25 years later. After moving back to Illinois and marrying Chris, Greg worked a variety of jobs before settling into a career as a welder for Chillicothe Metal Company, Inc. in 1991, retiring in 2019. He also held secondary jobs as a flooring installer and cut and delivered firewood. His years of hard work and determination steeled him for the long cancer battle that he bravely fought until the end.

Greg loved to hunt, fish, manage his hobby farm, and keep an eye out for rural garage sales. He was well liked by most people because of his calm and caring nature. He regularly checked in on his kids and grandkids and kept up on all their accomplishments.

Greg looked to God through prayer for wisdom and relied on the guidance in the Bible his entire adult life. As his family grew, he pointed his kids and grandkids toward a relationship with Christ and the importance of trusting God's Word. That is the most important legacy he leaves behind for his family and the future generations.

A visitation for Greg will be held from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Monday, September 30, 2024 at Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria. Greg’s funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at Woodland Baptist Church in Peoria, with a one-hour visitation preceding. Burial will be in Prospect Cemetery (within eyesight of his old home), in rural Dunlap, immediately following the funeral service.

Memorials may be made to the Illinois CancerCare Foundation at https://illinoiscancercarefoundation.org/donate/.

Online condolences may be shared with Greg's family at www.Woolsey-Wilton.com