Requiem for Bernat's Saloon
and the Crystal Palace Hotel
An Obituary for John "Bernat" Perme
and the Crystal Palace Hotel, Leadville, Colorado

(Photograph courtesy of Beverly & Roger Phillips)

The Crystal Palace Hotel at 144 West Chestnut Street, Leadville, Colorado. The heyday of the grand old structure is long over, and its advanced age is clearly evident. A few broken windows and some faded signs once proudly emblazoned across its front and sides are now mute testimony to its once colorful history, and a fitting epitaph by which to remember it fondly.

OBITUARY -- The Herald Democrat, Leadville, Colorado  Apr. 21, 1950
JOHN PERME (BERNAT)

Funeral services for the late John Perme (Bernat) were conducted in St. Joseph's church yesterday morning by Rev. Father George M. Spehar, in the presence of a number of long-time Leadville friends. Father Spehar was assisted in the service by St. Joseph's choir.

Interment was in Holy Cross cemetery beside the graves of his wife, who had preceded him in death in 1936 and a son Joseph, who passed away in 1930. Pallbearers, representing the Z. S. Z. and S. N. P. J. lodges, with which he had been affiliated, were Anton Novak, John Shober (correct spelling: Shaber), George Savoren, Joe Zakraisek, John Klintz and Frank Germon.

John Perme died at St. Vincent's hospital Monday afternoon, April 17, after a short illness.

Born December 26, [1875, in Vas Bieje, Grosuplje, Yugoslavia, he came to America in 1891]** and settled in Leadville. He spent the first several years of his residence here as shifter at the Emmett mine, after which he leased for a number of years in several local mining properties. He also was employed for some time at the Arkansas Valley Smelter before going into business in 1913 at 530 Elm Street. In 1923 he moved to 144 West Chestnut Street where the business was combined with the family's living quarters.

He was married here in June, 1903, to Johanna Meglen, by the Rev. Father Perse, then pastor of St. Joseph's church.

His name was among the charter members of the S. N. P. J. lodge, with which he was still affiliated at the time of his death.

He is survived by five daughters, Mrs. T. F. Keating of San Diego, California, Mrs. G. W. Foster of Bishop, California, Mrs. J. A. Thompson of Springville, Utah, Mrs. C. W. Phillips of Big Pine, California, and Mrs. J. H. Shultz of Los Angeles, and two sons, Louis F. Perme of Fairbanks, Alaska, and John Perme Jr. of Los Angeles. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Tom C., Jean, Robert and Joseph Keating; Judy and Susan Foster; John Phillip, Diana and Kenneth Thompson; Joan and Roger Phillips and Robert Shultz.

Of his sons and daughters, all were here for the funeral, with the exception of Rose (Mrs. Jesse Shultz), who lives in Los Angeles, California.

** (John Perme was born Dec. 26, 1874, Sp. Slivnica, Slovenia - unknown when he immigrated but two different census show 1899)

Another newspaper Obituary:
John Perme (Bernat)

Funeral services for the late John Perme (Bernat) were conducted in St. Joseph's church yesterday morning by Rev. Father George M. Spehar, in the presence of a number of long-time Leadville friends. Father Spehar was assisted in the service by St. Joseph's choir.

Interment was in Holy Cross cemetery beside the graves of his wife, who had preceded him in death in 1936 and a son, Joseph who passed away in 1930.

Pallbearers, representing the Z.S.Z. and S.N.P.J. lodges, with which he had been affiliated, were Anton Novak, John Shaber, George Savoren, Joe Zakraisek, John Klintz and Frank Germon.

Memory Book from Funeral Service:

John Perme (Bernat) born Vas Bieje, Grosuplje, Yugoslavia (born Sp. Slivnica - his sister lived in Vas Bicje and Slovenia was not part of Yugoslavia when he was born - it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Regime).

Passed away at St. Vincent's Hospital Leadville, Colorado

April 17, 1950, 74 yrs. 3 mo. 22 da.

Internment at Holy Cross Cemetery Leadville, Colorado

Moynahan-O'Malia Mortuary, Leadville, Colorado

Requiem Mass - St. Joseph's Church, Leadville - Rev. Father George M. Spehar, assisted by the St. Joseph's choir. Paul Bearers: Anton Novak, John Shober (correct spelling: Shaber), George Savaren (correct spelling: Savoren), Joe Zakraisek, John Klintz & Frank Germon.

Biography: John Perme died at St. Vincent's hospital Monday afternoon April 17, after a short illness. He was born December 26, 1875, Vas Bieje, Grosuplje, Yugoslavia, he came to America in 1891 and settled in Leadville. He spent the first several years of his residence here as shifter at the Emmett mine, after which he leased for a number of years in several local mining properties. He also was employed for some time at the Arkansas Valley smelter before going into business in 1913 at 530 Elm street. In 1923 he moved to 144 West Chestnut street, where the business was combined with the family's living quarters. He was married here in June 1903 to Johanna Meglen by the Rev. Father Perse, then pastor of St. Joseph's church. His name was among the charter members of the S.N.A.J. lodge, with which he was still affiliated at the time of his death. He is survived by five daughters, Mrs. T. F. Keating of San Diego, California, Mrs. G. W. Foster of Bishop, California, Mrs. J. A. Thompson of Springville, Utah, Mrs. C. W. Phillips of Big Pine, California, and Mrs. J. H. Shultz of Los Angeles, CA, and two sons, Louis F. Perme of Fairbanks, Alaska, and John Perme Jr. of Los Angeles. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren, Tom C., Jean, Robert and Joseph Keating; Judy and Susan Foster; John Phillips, Diana and Kenneth Thompson; Joan and Roger Phillips and Robert Shultz. Of his sons and daughters, all were here for the funeral, with the exception of Rose (Mrs. Jesse Shultz) who lives in Los Angeles, CA.

His wife preceded him in death - died 1936, and a son, Joseph, passed away in 1930.

Friends who called: Agnes Lally, Faye Shuster Durfee, Mrs. Albert Mehle, Mrs. Anton Kaplan, Mrs. Anton Stebly, Johanna Jakopic, Ann Ponikvar, Anna Mae Tull, Mrs. John Cortellini, Mrs. Dan Brinsky, Dorothy Drobnick, Dolores Mehle, Mrs. Anton Mehle, Mrs. Glenn Casseboom, Mrs. & Mrs. Louis Kostelic, Mr. & Mrs. Rudolph Tekansick, Mr. & Mrs. Anton Ponikvar, Frank Skala, A. Brodnick, Wm. Purkat, Mrs. Frances Vidick, Mrs. Andy Cassidy, Mr. & Mrs. Roy Wagner, Anton M. Zalar, Frank J. Kuss, Anton Bost, Louis J. Bost, John Vidmar, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Strell, Mrs. Wm. Durst Jr., Mrs. Mary Russ, Mrs. Frances Hren, Mrs. Frances Vidrik, Mrs. John Skala, Mrs. Louis Babovich, Mrs. Mary Markovich, Mrs. Anna Klintz, Mary Salmich, Josephine Bogrenorich (correct spelling: Bogrunovich), Mrs. Mart Cassidy, Mr. & Mrs. Sam Shimmin, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Jakopic, Amy Gay, Anna Frankovich, Mrs. Joe Frankovich, Steve Frankovich, Mr. & Mrs. George Cassidy, Florence O. McMahon, Martin McMahon, Raymond Eiteirm, Mr. & Mrs. Adolph Korochetz, Helen Papovich, Mrs. Ed Slifki, Mrs. Frank Hren, Mrs. Anna Papovich, John Sever.

Flowers: Casket Spray from the children; Reems Family, Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Lester & fam.; Johnny Reems; the Shuster Family - Planinski Bratje Z. S. Z. # 5. The Frankovich Family; Mr. & Mrs. T. H. Slusher & Ruth; Mr. & Mrs. Martin Skala & Martin; The Kalanj Family; John Gornick; Mr. & Mrs. Joe Ponikvar; Frank Vidmar & Fam.; Catherine & George Arnis; Mr. & Mrs. William Durst, Jr.; Edw. & Norma Fullington; Mr. & Mrs. Harry Gay, Sr. & Fam.; Mr. & Mrs. Louis Koprives & Family; Mr. & Mrs. William Ruzka; Frank Germon; Frank Zaitz Merc. Co.; S. N. P. J. 148; Mrs. Dornich & Johnny; Frances Vidick & daughters; Mary & Andy Cassidy; Howard Knox & Family; Mrs. Krasovec (correct spelling: Krosevec) & Family.

High Mass Cards: Mr. & Mrs. Sam Shimmin; Low Masses: Mr. & Mrs. Joe Strell (2); Mrs. Johanna Keating; Mrs. John A. Thompson; Mrs. Charles W. Phillips; Mrs. George Foster; Mr. & Mrs. Frank Reems Sr.; Mr. & Mrs. Tony Stebly & Son; Mr. & Mrs. Anton Kaplan; Sever Brothers; Mr. & Mrs. Roy Dehr (correct spelling: Dehe); Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Vertigal; Mrs. Frances Hren & Sons; Mr. & Mrs. Louis Babovich; Mr. & Mrs. Anton Krizman & Family; Mr. & Mrs. John Skala & Family; Mr. & Mrs. Charles Jakopic, Sr.; Mrs. Mary Strell; Mr. & Mrs. Henry Novak; Mr. & Mrs. Richard Fikany;** Frank Skala; Miss Annie Ponikvar; Edward Ponikvar; Mr. & Mrs. John Ponikvar & Family; Mr. & Mrs. James Stepisnick; Mr. & Mrs. Adolph Koroshetz; Mr. & Mrs. Henry Novak.

Spiritual Bouquet: Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Eiteirm; Mr. & Mrs. Martin McMahon & Family.

** Mr. & Mrs. Richard Fikany (High Mass Cards section): Mrs. Fikany, a.k.a. Sue Fikany, is a contributor of information about John "Bernat" Perme and the Wurlitzer Style 32 Concert PianOrchestra.

(Photograph courtesy of Beverly & Roger Phillips)

The surviving children of John and Johanna Perme as seen during a family reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada, in March of 1987. From left to right: Johanna; Josephine; Louis, Angela; John (a.k.a. John Junior); Pauline and Rose.