John Jack Pete Jr.

John J. Pete Jr age 89 of Manistee, Michigan died Thursday morning, January 5, 2017 at his home after a short illness. He was born on April 11, 1927 in Manistee County, Michigan son of the late John and Helen (Sobisek) Pete. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. John married Phyllis A. Szymarek on August 21, 1948 in Muskegon, Michigan. Phyllis preceded John in death on May 20, 2009. By profession John was a mason, all of his working career, having built and worked on many buildings, especially in the Manistee area. He liked spending time with his family and grandchildren. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoyed the Detroit “Tigers” Baseball team, and loved to watch NASCAR events. He was a member of the Walsh Post #4499 VFW and the American Legion Post #10 both of Manistee. John is survived by two daughters and sons in-law, Sherry and Irv Utley of Cedar Springs, MI, and Debbie and Phil Curtis of Lakeland, FL, three sons and three daughters in-law, Steven and Debbie Pete, David Pete and Lynn Pete all of Manistee, MI, and Kevin and Annette Pete of Texas, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Three sisters and one brother in-law, Elsie Waite of Grand Haven, MI, Mary McCauley and Lillian and Dallas Varney all of Muskegon, MI. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him. John was also preceded in death by his three sons, Jeffrey, Bryan and Kenneth Pete on December 15, 2016, his granddaughter Lisa Utley and his great granddaughter Morgan Pete. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee with Reverend Scott Lawler officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Manistee where grave side military honors will be given by the members of the Manistee County United Veterans Ritual Squad and the Little River Band Warriors Society. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM and on Wednesday morning one hour prior to John’s funeral service. The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.