Dale L. Perry

Dale L. Perry, 71, of Streator passed away in Peoria on Friday, (February 18, 2022) at OSF St. Francis Medical Center.

A visitation will be held Saturday from 10am – 12noon at the Winterrowd Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held at 12noon at the funeral home.  Burial will be in St. Stephen’s Cemetery.

Dale was born in Streator, Illinois on July 6, 1950, to Roy and Helen (Armstrong) Perry.

Dale married his high school sweetheart Nancy Gulvas on November 30, 1968, a woman who remained the center of his life for nearly 54 years. Nancy and Dale’s relationship was one that felt like a romance novel from days gone by - the love they shared was inspirational to all who knew them.

Also surviving are, son Scott Perry of Streator, granddaughter, Holly (Frank) Germano of Los Angeles, CA, sisters, Diane Gebhardt and Patricia (Chuck) Cantrell both of Streator and several nieces and nephews.

Dale graduated from Woodland High School in 1968

Dale was a truck driver for nearly 50 years retiring from Luckey Trucking in 2020.  He had a passion for traveling America’s highways and visiting every truck stop along the way. Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Jr. and Garth Brooks were constant companions, but his nights were filled with life’s greatest music - the love of family.

Above all, Dale considered his son Scott one of his greatest accomplishments. These best pals enjoyed car shows, grilling out and going to the races. His granddaughter Holly, his “sweetie,” to whom he was a hero unlike any other. He not only taught his son and granddaughter to always prepare for life’s variables but to slow down and enjoy the perfectly intimate moments in life, like ice cream on a Sunday afternoon or a cool summer night on the patio. 

Dale leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity and patience; one of the last true gentlemen in a modern world. 

Memorials may be made in his name to the American Kidney Foundation.