Perry L. Mehlman, a veteran of World War II who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and a prominent realtor and real estate rehabber and developer, died Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, at his Clayton home. He was 81.

A native of St. Louis, Mr. Mehlman was a 1943 graduate of Soldan High School.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge; later he was stationed in Germany.

Following his military service, Mr. Mehlman married the former Shirleen Feldman of St. Louis.

Mr. Mehlman began to work for his father-in-law, Sam Feldman at the Feldman Market on Caroline Avenue in St. Louis. While employed at the market, he began to purchase apartment buildings. Later he opened his own company, the Mehlman Realty Co., at 6324 Delmar Boulevard.

Mr. Mehlman began fixing up single and multi-family homes, and then offering them for sale in the 1970s.

His son, Mark Mehlman, began developing land for home builders. Mr. Mehlman retired in 2002; his wife died in 2004.

Mr. Mehlman was a member of United Hebrew Congregation and was a past president of Meadowbrook Country Club.

“Dad enjoyed golf and other sports,” his son Mark told the St. Louis Jewish Light. “Dad had a second home in Boca Raton, Fla., where he became a sculptor, and was very involved the the activities of the Jewish Federation of Boca Raton, including its campaign.”

Mr. Mehlman was a survivor of two heart bypass surgeries, and shared his recovery stories with hospital patients going through similar surgeries.

Funeral services for Mr. Mehlman were held at United Hebrew Cemetery, where Rabbi Howard Kaplansky officiated.

In addition to his son, survivors include two daughters, Carol Margolis and Betsy Mehlman, both of St. Louis County; a sister, Jeanne Becker of Creve Coeur and six grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Perry and Shirleen Mehlman Camp Scholarship fund at United Hebrew Temple, 13788 Conway Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63141.