Verl Woodrow Perkel

Long-time Homedale area resident Verl Woodrow Perkel, 95, died peacefully in his sleep on November 9, 2012 at his home. He was born on July 10, 1917 on the fruit farm that his parents George Ward Perkel and Etta Smith homesteaded in Homedale, ID. He and his twin brother Earl were the eldest of five children. Upon his father's death Verl inherited Perkel Orchards, and grew and sold fruit there until he retired. After he sold the farm in 1990 he continued to stay busy in the orchards he loved by trapping gophers, one season trapping as many as 800. He married Nora Turner in 1944, and together they had six children. They were later divorced. He married Pearl Gorton in 1976 and accepted her three children as his own. He was an active member of the LDS Church in Homedale, and held many positions in the church. He had a strong testimony of the Gospel until his dying day. Verl was an avid bowler most of his life; he was a lover of music -- playing trumpet in his family band for a number of years. He was proud of his family history and loved sharing the stories of his family with those he came in contact with including the story of how his parents arrived in Homedale by covered wagon. Verl had a remarkable memory - -remembering all birthdays of his children and grandchildren. He loved having his family come to visit him and delighted in all the new grandbabies. Verl had an active imagination, and was thinking of ways to help resolve the nation's energy crisis and thoroughly enjoyed his opportunities to talk with Governor Otter and other government leaders about his ideas. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters. He was also preceded in death by two daughters, Norene Perkel, Mary Ann Perkel, and a son, Murton Perkel. He is survived by his wife Pearl of Homedale area, daughters Carolyn (Ron) Draper, Twin Falls, ID; Janet Perkel, Arizona; Marilynn (Gary) Folwell, Marsing, ID; Beverly (Fred) Bilbrey, Emmett, ID; sons Verl “Mike” W. Perkel, Jr., Twin Falls, ID; Jay Bruce Gorton, Boise, ID; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 from 9:30 – 11:00 AM.. Verl’s Funeral Service will be Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the Homedale 2nd Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Services are under the care of Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Homedale. Interment will follow at Wilder Cemetery, Wilder, ID. Condolences may be given at www.Flahifffuneralchapel.com Service Information