Steve L. Perpich, 85, died peacefully at the Providence Marianwood Nursing Facility in Issaquah the morning of April 6, 2013.
Steve was a “New Year’s baby” born Jan. 1, 1928, in South Chicago to Steve and Frances Perpich (Prpic) who were immigrants from Croatia. Steve was one of seven children and the “middle” son of five brothers. When his father died in 1944, Steve left High School at age 16 to support his family while his two older brothers were serving in World War II.
Steve L. Perpich
In 1946, Steve enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He was promoted to corporal and served in the South Pacific, including the island of Guam, where he guarded prisoners of war. He was honorably discharged in 1947.
Steve met Cecelia Laudanskas at a local entertainment club called “Danceland” in the Chicago neighborhood of Roseland. That night, they won the evening’s dance contest together. In 1949, Steve and Cecelia became husband and wife and remained happily married for 62 years. Over the years, Steve and Cecelia lived in Calumet City, Illinois, as well as Hammond and Dyer, Indiana. Steve was a machinist by trade and worked at the Sinclair Oil Refinery in East Chicago, Indiana, in addition to Atlantic Richfield and BP Oil. He retired in 1993.
Steve was a very sociable man with a great sense of humor and loved talking with other people. He was an avid sports fan who rooted for all the Chicago sports teams but especially the Cubs, who were his favorite.
Following the passing of his beloved wife “Cets,” Steve decided to live closer to his son and moved from Dyer, Indiana, to Issaquah in March 2012. He lived at the University House Senior Living Community, where he enjoyed an active lifestyle and the company of many of his fellow residents.
He is preceded in death by his father, mother, brothers John, Mike, Willie and Danny, and is survived by his sisters Helen and Rosemary. His son Jim, daughter-in-law Tonya, and grandsons Nicholas and Matthew also survive Steve.
Steve will be laid to rest with Cecelia at 11 a.m. at Tahoma Veteran’s Cemetery in Kent on Friday, April 26, 2013, with a memorial service and military honors. Friends and family are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to your local humane society.
Flintoft’s Issaquah Funeral Home (392-6444) is coordinating arrangements, and friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s online guestbook at www.flintofts.com.