Paul Eugene Perry Jr., 67, of Ossian, passed away Saturday morning, Feb. 7, 2026 at River Terrace Retirement Community.
Paul was born in Bluffton 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 Sept. 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, Michigan. Prior to this, Paul worked as Director of Facilities for Sodexo at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion. 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, and Justin Perry of Traverse City, Michigan.
He is also survived by his sister, Teresa Garrett of Auburn; grandson, Salem Perry of Michigan; nephews and nieces, Zachary Hayden, Christopher Hayden, Daniel Perry, Tabatha Bates and 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, Feb. 12, 2026, from 3 until 4 p.m., at the Petroleum Community Church 3625 E. 2nd St, Petroleum, Indiana, 46778. A memorial service will be held immediately following the visitation at 4 p.m. 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.
Online condolences may be made at www.goodwincaleharnish.com
Goodwin – Harnish Funeral Home & Cremation Services has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.