Rosemary L. Perkins

Rosemary L. Perkins, 86, of Moline, Illinois, passed away Monday, October 11, 2021, at her home, with her family by her side.

Cremation will take place under the supervision of Trimble Funeral Home & Crematory, Moline, and a private internment service will be held at the Rock Island National Cemetery at a later date.

Rosemary Lois McCord was born February 28, 1935, in Pontiac, Michigan, to Charles R. McCord and Gertrude I. H. Oberbach of Michigan. She married Frank Benadom in 1955, and was remarried May 10, 1962, to Wayne W. Perkins Sr.

After growing up on a farm in Troy, Michigan, with many fond childhood memories, Rosemary graduated from Clawson High School in 1953 and then worked briefly for the government at Ft. Belvoir, VA, and the Pentagon, before moving back to the Quad Cities.

Rosemary was a classically trained pianist and organist, and toured professionally as a musician with her husband in the early 60’s, as part of a trio, which included her on a Hammond C3 organ, her husband Wayne Perkins on the drums and vocals, and Skip Brink on piano. When her children reached school age, she and her husband moved back to the Quad Cities and began performing as the Rosemary-Wayne Duo from 1963 until retiring in 1982. As a duo they played at dozens of venues and cocktail lounges throughout the greater Quad Cities and had one of the largest and most loyal followings in the area.

In 1971, Rosemary also began a highly successful interior decorating and upholstery shop in the Quad Cities with her husband and upon his retirement, she returned to the Rock Island Arsenal and worked in logistics and payroll for another two decades, receiving numerous awards for her dedication and work.

Throughout her life she had a passion for flowers, gardening, and music. She spent much of her free time later in life landscaping and growing flowers in her yard and continued to enjoy playing classical music on her grand piano and attending to her sons’ music careers, concerts and performances. As a mother, her children were the central focal point of her life, and she was the core that held the family together instilling in her children loyalty, responsibility, and values. Christmas was a particularly special time for her and there was no greater joy to her than in providing for her children and the gift of giving.

Rosemary is survived by her sister, Mary Weirts, of Cadillac, MI, her brother-in-law Lon Nanke, of Oshkosh, WI, her children; Bradly and Andrea Perkins of Girard, IL, Jeff and Lori Perkins of Culleako, TN, Greggory Perkins of Moline, IL, Deborah Perkins of Clinton, New Jersy, Dianne and Ken Voltz of Pingree Grove, IL, Grandchildren; Amanda (Voltz) & Justin Smolinski of Union, IL, Hannah Voltz of Dundee, IL, Lindsey (Perkins) & Travis Leatherman of Franklin, TN, Conner & Maggie Perkins of Spring Hill, TN, two grandchildren Wade and Westin Smolinski and many nieces and nephews and her dog, Mickey. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers and two sisters, and her husband, Wayne W. Perkins Sr.

Rosemary’s family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Compassus Hospice of Moline, especially, Diane, Chris, Vera & Elizabeth, for their care and compassion.
The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.