Mario Peraldo

Mario Gene Peraldo (1943–2025)

Mario Gene Peraldo, 82, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on October 20, 2025, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. His family and friends feel a profound loss at his sudden passing. He is now alive in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Mario Gene’s grandparents, Emilio and Emma Peraldo, immigrated from Italy and purchased the Mills Farm in Fallon, Nevada, in 1920. He was born to Mario and Olga (Forgnone) Peraldo in Fallon on February 26, 1943, and was raised on the family farm. He graduated from Churchill County High School in 1961 and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Drawn to aviation, Mario was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force, where he was selected to fly fighter jets. During his 278 combat missions in Vietnam, he was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 16 Air Medals. While stationed at RAF Alconbury in England, he met and married the love of his life, Lynn Connolly. His service to our country later took him to Germany and then to New Mexico. After 21 years of dedicated service, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Mario and Lynn returned to the family farm in Fallon, where they raised their three daughters and worked the land together for 31 years. He served on the Churchill County Planning Commission for 16 of those years and played an active role in developing conservation programs that helped preserve agriculture in the valley he loved.

Mario is survived by his wife, Lynn; daughters Gina (Matt Gottschalk), twins Vanessa (Tim Koepsell) and Melissa (Job Tibay); grandchildren Jordan and Kaisley, Olivia and Isabella, and Matteo; and cousins Anne Marie Standridge, Butch Recanzone, Rose Marie Sura, and Carlo and Mario Forgnone, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mario and Olga Peraldo; aunts and uncles Harriet and Silvio Peraldo, Marine and Carlo Recanzone, Olga and Mauro Forgnone, Josephine and Merlin Plummer, Dell and Joe Serpa, and Caroline and Paul Nation; and cousins Marlene Shelton, Beverly McGee, Emma Duffney, and John and Joey Serpa.

Mario was a man of integrity who faithfully served his family, friends, and community. Known for his kindness, generosity, and humor, he was a lover of life and people, always eager to learn and share what he knew. His greatest joy was being a husband, father, and grandfather. His loving presence will be deeply missed. His final exhortation to his family was to seek Christ and to move forward in the truth of Jesus Christ.

A memorial service for Mario will be held on Friday, November 7, at 10:00 a.m. at The Gardens Funeral Home in Fallon, Nevada, with military honors and interment to follow at Churchill County Cemetery.