Robert Perez Sr.

Robert was born Dec. 15, 1937, in DePue to Felipe and Marcos (Salasar) Perez. He married Feye Renee Ellberg on Dec. 29, 1956, in St. Mary’s Church in DePue.

Robert attended DePue Schools. He was employed at American Nickeloid for 47 years and he also worked for Stuart Tree Service. He was the owner of Chico Family Restaurant in Peru. He was a member of Mighty Word Church in LaSalle. He is a past member of the Peru Rescue Station. Robert was a Peru firefighter for 11 years and he is an honorary member of the Liberty Fire Company 1. He was a leader in the Peru Boy Scout Troop 1. He loved cooking, fishing and gardening, and enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels. His greatest joy was his children and grandchildren.

Survivors include two daughters, Debra Smith of Peru and Marsha (Gene) Pikula of Spring Valley; five sons, Robert “Chico” Perez of Peru, Timothy (Mary) Perez of Oglesby, Michael (Susan) Perez of LaSalle, Rodney (Marsha) Perez of Peru and Tony Perez of Spring Valley; 26 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; one brother, Raymond (Mary) Perez of Ottawa; several nieces and nephews; and his Royal Canadian dog, Tonya.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Feye, on Nov. 13, 2002; one brother, Phillip Perez; and three sisters, Roberta Perez Salinas, Jesse Ribas Torres and Felistas Perez Manrriquez.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Mighty Word Church, 599 Canaan Drive, LaSalle (across from the Flying J off Route 351), with Pastor Thomas Arnold officiating. Burial will follow in the Peru City Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mueller Funeral Home, 909 Pike St., Peru. Additional visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Pallbearers will be Steven Valdez, Kyle Pikula, Nick Perez, Chris Perez, Rick Perez, James Perez, Daniel Perez and Julio Hernandez. Honorary pallbearers will be Cody Whightsil, Caleb Perez, Paige Perez, Kierstyn Perez and Erica Carden.