Lawrence Pelkey

Lawrence “Larry” Pelkey, 89, of Stevensville died Saturday, December 12, 2009, at his home. Mass celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, December 16, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Benton Harbor. The family will receive friends and relatives from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the Dey-Florin Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in St. Joseph where prayers will be held at 7:00 P.M. Cremation has taken place and burial of the ashes will be held at a later date at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Memorial may be made to Lake Michigan Catholic Schools or the Berrien County Cancer Service. Larry was born on July 19, 1920 in Tigerton, WI to Homer and Gly Pelkey and moved to Michigan in 1936. He was a veteran of the US Navy serving aboard the USS Missouri during WW II. He married his wife, Edna, on May 8, 1943 in Benton Harbor and together they have celebrated 66 years of marriage. Larry retired in 1978 as Sales Manager for Avion Coach Corp after 18 years of employment. He was a long time member of the SS. John-Bernard Parish. He enjoyed bowling and playing pool. Larry was a talented saxophone player who played with many local groups. His musical ability started with his family as a young child who performed together as the Pelkey Paramount Players. Larry was affectionately called “Pudd” by his family. He loved his family and was very proud of them. He is survived by his wife, Edna; his children, Shirley ( Dennis) Lee of Stevensville, Donna (Gary) Jennings of Marietta, GA, Ronald (Elizabeth) Pelkey of Alpharetta, GA, Becky (Larry) Rotter of Sodus, Debra (Donald) Cook of Benton Harbor, Pamela (William) Schueneman of Woodstock, GA, Gary (Christine) Pelkey of Woodstock, GA. and Mark (Lori) Pelkey of Holly Springs, GA.; his 25 grandchildren, Dennis Lee, Jr., Eric Lee, Kristina Rita, Jacqueline Donley, Michele Frischmann, Rebecca Pelkey, Laura Scheck, Nicholas Pelkey, Jenna Missenis, Jason Rotter, Timothy Cook, Nicholas Cook, Benjamin Cook, Jonathon Cook, Gretchen Barker, Aaron Schueneman, Byron Schueneman, Alex Turner, Ryan Pelkey, Matthew Pelkey, Andrew Pelkey, Jeremy Pelkey, Dustin Pelkey, Sierra Rose Pelkey, and Blake Pelkey, and his 16 great-grandchildren.

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Lawrence Pelkey

July 19, 1920 - December 12, 2009