Carol L. Perry

She was born in Lakefield Township, Michigan on May 5, 1937 to the late Edward and Rose (Chilo) Moore. Carol grew up in Wetmore in a large family. Her mother died at a young age and caused her to need to move around with other family households. These hard times formed her into the amazing woman she became, focusing on hard work and devotion to her family. She married Donald V. Erkkila in 1954 and together raised their four children. Carol began working for the Eben School. She did some janitorial work, but her main position was cook. Carol was a great cook and made real food for the kids and they never left hungry. She would even keep extra lunch tickets for the kids who could not afford one to make sure everyone was fed.

Carol married William L. Perry in 1979 and they loved to travel and go camping. Carol was a great cook and loved to find new recipes in her cookbooks. She enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, and reading romance novels. Carol was a loving grandmother who loved to bake with her grandkids, take them shopping at thrift store and point out all the flashiest outfits, teaching some how to swim in her pool in Rumley, and taking them camping with her and Bill in Michigamme. Carol had such a positive attitude and if you ever needed anything, she probably had an extra and would give it to you.

Carol is survived by her children – Debbie (Randy) Vining of Chatham, Vickie (Bob) Buehrly of Trenary, Robin (Gary) Howard of Gwinn, and Don (Melissa) Erkkila of Guyton, GA; grandchildren – Randy (Kaye), Jeffrey (Megan), Dawn, Bridgette (Jon), Tiffany (Terry), Bethany, Bobbie (Phil), Jacob, Tyler (Elliina), and Bruno (Ava); great-grandchildren -Victoria, Emmett (Izzy), Gavin, McKayllif (Bryan), Sierra (Nate), Cullen (Katie), Jon Hunter, Clay, Stella, Mckeller (Garrin), Austin, Jason, Carley, Libby, and Abby; great-great grandchildren – Silas, Daisy, Zylen, Lakelynn, Mercedes, and one more on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband – Bill; grandson – Brandon; siblings – Jim (Marge), Wanda (Russ), Tom (Ida), Bea (Gerald), Ann (Jerry), Donna (Ken), Midge (Jim), and Betty (Jim).

Visitation will be on Friday, March 20, 2026 at Sion Lutheran Church in Chatham from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Pastor Jeremy Ashley will conduct Carol’s service at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery at a later date. Her obituary and online guestbook may be viewed and signed at bowermanfuneralhome.net

Carol’s family wants to give special thanks to the many nurses, aids, and caregivers who were always there for her and Bill with 24-hour care to let them stay in their home and keep their independence. Carol loved you and felt your love in all you did for her.