Joseph Perko

Joseph Perko, 90, beloved father, grandfather, brother, and one of the most devoted husbands to his beloved wife that he joined in heaven only a month after her passing, passed away Monday, January 6, 2026 at his residence.

A funeral mass will be conducted Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 11:30 AM at St. Catherine Catholic Church with Father Davis Chackaleckel and Deacon Daniel McCulley officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends Tuesday from 10:00 AM until time of the services at St. Catherine Catholic Church.

Memorials may be made to the Knights of Columbus in care of St. Catherine Catholic Church 3019 Cayce Lane Columbia, TN 38401. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Joseph was born on May 19, 1935 in Salkavas Kocevje, Slovenija to the late Michael Perko and the late Terezijia Drobnic Perko. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War as a meteorologist with perfection. Joseph worked for over 40 years with Union Carbide as a millwright, furnace operator and crane operator. During his time working for Union Carbide, he was a farmer that raised tobacco, hay and Polled Hereford cattle. Joseph was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church for over 64 years and was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, and he also sang in the choir for over twenty years. He was also a member of the Australian Shepherd Breeders Association, Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19 and a former member of the Polled Hereford Association.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Rosa Hie Perko on December 7, 2025 after 64 years of marriage.

He was a constant source of strength and support for his whole family that includes his two beloved daughters, Rosemary Edmonds (Terry) and Teresia Vinson (Vince) both of Columbia; four grandchildren, Joey Edmonds (Rachael), Christina Sabin (Joe), Julianna Cohen (Scott) and Stephanie Ellis (Ben); four great grandchildren, Aaron Joseph Sabin, Leo Edmonds, Ezri Rose Sabin, and Rudy Edmonds; brothers, Marijan Perko (Nancy) and Michael Perko, Jr. (Judy) and several nieces and nephews.

Active pallbearers will be Ben Ellis, Scott Cohen, Joe Sabin, Joey Edmonds, Richard Perko, and Joe Davidson. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree and Daryl Walker. The family would like to express a special thank you to Dr. Andrew Nielsen for his extraordinary care that went above and beyond the call of duty, his caregivers, Beverly Moore, Kristie Pillow and Jill Lemons.