L. Van Perkins departed on his heavenly journey March 15, 2023 after a short illness. Prayer service will be March 20 at 7 pm at McNeil Funeral Home in Mustang. Mass of Christian Burial will be held March 21 at 10 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Union City, followed by burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery with Rev. Lance Warren and Deacon John Teague officiating. Services are under the guidance of McNeil Funeral Home.

Van was born on the Mustang family farm to Lester Lewis Perkins and Evelyn Jesse (O’Dell) Perkins on September 19, 1934. He married his high school sweetheart, Irene Anna Lagaly, on Feb. 21, 1952 before graduating from Union City High School that year. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary with family before she succumbed to cancer March 31, 2020.

The couple began their new life working at Peters Dairy in Yukon, then moved to Del City, Shawnee and Clinton with other companies before they settled in El Reno, where they owned and operated Appliances, Etc. for 43 years – working together with their son, Bob. In addition to keeping local homemakers’ gadgets running smoothly, Van served as El Reno City Councilman, Vice Mayor, and also on El Reno’s Hospital Authority and Airpark Authority.

The couple traveled extensively with Buffalo Ramblers RV and also enjoyed square dancing, flying and riding their motorcycle. There are so many tales of Van’s love of RVing, flying, joke and story-telling and playing pranks on his circle of friends. He always celebrated life’s adventures with family and friends and loved a family reunion with lots of socializing and great food! He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he played music many years, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Elks, Bickford Buzzards and host of the 27th Street Has-Beens Coffee Group.

The Perkins “Horse Ranch” started with Irene’s gift of a miniature paint colt, Sugar Boy, on Van’s 60th birthday. She pranked him with a real sponge cake, so Van thought the horse was a prank too! He kept asking, “When is that man coming to take the horse back home to Hinton?”

Van still had his motorcycle then, and exercised the horse by putting him on a long lead alongside the motorbike. Sometimes Sugar Boy would dig in his feet, and then he’d roll along the side of the motorcycle. He was an ornery colt with a fancy shelter and feed stall with lots of apples and carrots, heated water tank in the winter and a miniature horse blanket. Irene kept telling Van the horse could NOT come in the house and warm up by the fireplace…although he threatened to bring the colt in for Christmas photos! Soon the herd grew to four miniature horses to thrill the kids, but they were rambunctious and after many years found a new home.

Van’s smile and crazy sense of humor will be missed by his loving children: Paula Porter, Bob (Brenda) Perkins, and Tim (Jamie) Perkins, all of El Reno; eight grandchildren (and spouses): Robert (Catherine) Printup, Jon (Tiffany) Printup and Geoffrey Printup, Mindy (Chris) Allen, Kyra (Jay) Mauldin and Jessica (Neal) Johnson, Courtney Burns and Mark Burns; 20 great-grandchildren: Robert IV, Ramsey, Koby, Jaden, Jaxon and Jace Printup, Destini Tidrick (Max), Jay Regan and Rian Gililland, Carter, Harper, Grant and Lincoln Mauldin, Aspen, Dixie and Claire Burns, Crew and Maddy Allen, Cam and Russ Johnson; great-great grandson, Easton and great-great granddaughter, Emersyn Tidrick; sister, Sharel Smith; in-laws Margaret (Broderson) Lagaly, Dora (Beard) Lagaly, Lawrence and Betty Lagaly and their families, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and a lifetime of friends. There will be a joyful family reunion in Heaven with his sweetheart Irene and stillborn angel son. With our hope in Christ alone, we look forward to seeing your smile again.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Okarche Center of Family Love, Catholic Charities, or simply perform a kind deed for someone in need.