Gary E. Perry, Sr., age 70, of Mansfield, passed away Thursday morning, December 25, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. He was born on November 13, 1955.
Gary was the devoted husband of the love of his life for 51 years, Cathy L. Perry, whom he married on May 21, 1977. Cathy survives along with their children: Gary (Angela) Perry, Jr. and Tonya (Zac) Helbert; his five grandchildren: Sophia Perry, Adi Helbert, Mya Perry, Colton Helbert, and Hutson Perry; his siblings, Rocky and Rosie; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mayo Allen and Ona Delores (Butler) Perry; and his siblings: Buddy, Connie, and Shirley.
Gary joined the United States Marine Corps straight out of high school and proudly served his country. After his service, he returned to Mansfield to live and work. He loved the outdoors, whether it was fishing with family at Lake Erie, camping trips to Canada, or the many backroad drives he took with Cathy—never needing a map and never getting lost, because he always just seemed to know the way.
Spending time with his family was one of Gary’s favorite things to do. He could always be found on the sidelines cheering for his children, and later his grandchildren. He willingly traveled long distances, sat through terrible weather, and attended multiple sporting events in a single day—not because he loved sports, but because he loved his grandkids and never wanted to miss an important moment in their lives. He often reminded them that they “got their sporting abilities from their papa.” Gary made each of them feel important, and they always knew how deeply he loved them.
Gary was a gifted handyman. From building a beautiful potting shed for Cathy to constructing elaborate tree forts for his grandchildren, there was little he couldn’t accomplish with a hammer and nails. If something didn’t need built but, perhaps, someone was just down on their luck, Gary was always there. Friend, coworker, or stranger—it didn’t matter. Gary never wanted to see anyone down and would help in any way he could.
Family and friends are welcome on Saturday, December 27, 2025, from 12 noon to 1 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Diana Seaman will officiate. Military honors will be conducted by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail, with burial in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Shiloh. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org/donate), a cause Gary supported for many years.
Condolences may be left on the funeral home’s website at PenwellFuneralHome.com or on its Facebook page.
Funeral Home: Penwell Funeral Home
Website: www.PenwellFuneralHome.com