Obituary of Donald Elmer Perham

"Donald E. Perham, 84, of Old Springfield Road, died Monday, March 21, 2005 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital after a brief illness with his family by his side. Born in Springfield, VT, October 30, 1920, he was the son of the late Herbert A. Perham and Bertha (Claflin) Perham Vandenburg. Donald grew up in Hinsdale, NH and lived in Springfield, MA for 9 years before moving to Belchertown in 1952. As part of the “Greatest Generation”, he proudly served his country during WWII in the US Army and maintained a lifetime membership in the local VFW. He was a skilled molder and worked for Springfield Foundry for 32 years, and then retired from the former Belchertown State School as a personal care attendant after 10 years. He loved hunting and fishing and was a longtime member of the Belchertown Men’s Bowling League. He and his late wife enjoyed rug hooking and he also took great pride in maintaining his yard. Mr. Perham was a member of the Belchertown Congregational Church for over 50 years. Don was predeceased by his wife of nearly 60 years, Rose (Rosploch) who died in 2002. He will be deeply missed by his daughter Joan P. Millett and her husband Gary of Belchertown, along with his two sons, Gary A. and his wife Bonnie of Belchertown and Donald H. and his wife Doris of Killen, AL. He also leaves a half brother Gordon Vandenburg of Framingham and five grandchildren, Edward and Kevin Fuller and Patricia (Fuller) Pietras, and Joanne and David Perham, as well as 7 great grandchildren Meaghan, Jessica, Kyle, Madison, Joslyn, Ashley and Benjamin. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m. at the church with burial with military honors in South Cemetery. For those wishing, donations may be made in his memory to Town of Belchertown, War Memorial Gift Fund, P.O. Box 670, Belchertown, 01007. Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. "