ROBERT PERKINS

Robert “Blah-Blah” Perkins, Indian name, Shingobee”, 71, of Ponemah, Minnesota died Wednesday, April 13, 2005 at the North Country Regional Hospital at Bemidji, Minnesota. Cease Family Funeral Home of Blackduck is assisting the family with arrangements.

Traditional Indian services will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Monday, April 18, 2005 at the Ponemah Community Center in Ponemah, Minnesota, with Anna Gibbs officiating.  A wake will begin on Saturday, April 16, 2005 in the afternoon at the Ponemah Community Center and will continue until the services.  Burial will be at the Family Burial Grounds in Ponemah, Minnesota.

Honorary pallbearers will be Melvin Bullhead, Donald Charwood, Max Charwood, Robert Earl Fairbanks, and Stephen Stillday.

Active pallbearers will be James Bissonette, Gordon Spears, Michael Beaulieu, Sr., Gary Charwood, Sr., Larry Dow, Jr., and Edward Perkins, Sr.

He was born on April 8, 1934 at Ponemah, Minnesota the son of William and Margaret (Stillday) Perkins.  He was raised in Ponemah and attended schools in Ponemah and Red Lake High School.  He enlisted in the United States Air Force on May 20, 1952 and was honorable discharged on March 9, 1956 with the rank of Airman First Class.  He was stationed overseas and served during the Korean Conflict.  After his discharge from the service he worked at the Sawmill in Redby and also he did commercial fishing on Red Lake.  He worked as a carpenter for the Red Lake Band of Ojibwe for several years.  He lived and worked for several years in Chicago and Minneapolis.  He liked to joke around and make people laugh.  He enjoyed watching movies, animals and pets, and attending Pow wows and listening to Pow wow music.  He especially loved his granddaughter, Diane Bissonette.

He is survived by his daughter, Debra (James) Bissonette of Bemidji; step-children, Donna Perkins of Ponemah, Eugene Perkins of Ponemah, Dino Perkins of Ponemah, Daniel Perkins of Ponemah, and Nancy (Robert) Johnson of Coon Rapids; sisters, Alberta (Melvin Bullhead) Dow of Ponemah, and Armella Charwood of Grand Rapids; brother, Edward (Virginia) Perkins, Sr.; four grandchildren, Michael Beaulieu, Sr. of Fargo, ND Robert Goodbear of Black River Falls, WI, Taylor Bissonette of Bemidji and Diane Bissonette of Bemidji; one great grandson, Michael John Beaulieu, Jr. of Cass Lake; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; special friend, Grace Perkins, a baby daughter, Roberta Perkins, step-daughter, Gloria Perkins, step-son, Clyde Perkins, Jr, two brothers, William Perkins, Jr., and Isadore Perkins; three sisters, Darlene P. Johnson, Evelyn Johns, and Carolyn Perkins; and several other relatives.