Marquette––Palmer J. “Pickles” DePetro, Jr., 70, of 1703 Center Street, Marquette, entered eternal life Friday evening, March 2, 2007, at his home, in the comforting care of his family.
Pickles was born December 13, 1936, in Marquette, a son of Palmer and Margie (Feltner) DePetro, Sr., and was a lifelong Marquette resident. He graduated from the Graveraet High School and later enlisted in the US Marine Corps, where he served for two years, receiving his honorable discharge as a Lance Corporal in 1959. On April 23, 1960, he married the former Jeanne A. Smits, and together the couple established their home and raised their family in Marquette. Throughout the years, Pickles was employed as a plumber, working for various plumbers until finally going into business for himself. For many years, he successfully owned and operated Pickle’s Sewer Service, retiring in 1999. His son, Will, assumed the business and it continues today as Pickle’s Sewer Service. In his spare time, Pickles was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed going to his camp. He was a member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union.
Survivors include his daughter, Sandra (Marty) Rose of Marquette; three sons, Palmer “Pete” DePetro of Denver, CO, Dean (Fiancee, Pam) DePetro of Tampa, FL, and William (Cindy) DePetro of Marquette; his grandchildren, Palmer “P.J” DePetro, Chad Rose, Brant Rose, Nicholas Maki, Misty Rose, and Kristie Bawden; a sister, Margie (William) Kunick of Marquette; two brothers, David (Ann) DePetro and Phillip (Shirley) DePetro both of Marquette; his father-in-law, Ossie Smits of Manistique; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, Pickles was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne in 2005; mother-in-law, Olive Smits; sister-in-law, Joan Holmberg; and brothers-in-law, Don Holmberg and Robert Smits.
Friends may call at St. Michael Catholic Church on Wednesday, March 7, beginning at 4:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 6:00 pm Wednesday evening with Rev. Msgr. Jed Patrick, pastor, as celebrant. A reception for family and friends will be held in the St. Michael Parish Center. Burial will be made in the Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Lake Superior Hospice Association, 914 W. Baraga Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855 or the Ishpeming Cancer Society, Rte 1, Box 111, Ishpeming, MI 49849.