Philip Owen Pelton, 83 years young
My husband, and our father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away today surrounded by a large cadre of family members. Philip was born on August 7, 1940, to Faye and Neva Pelton of Perry, Michigan. Phil lost his father at a very early age and Neva remarried and they moved to Worth Corners where they operated the Worth Tavern for many years.
Phil married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann Kolevar in 1960. Phil and Mary Ann bought the Standish Bakery and Restaurant from his in-laws, Joe and Pearl Kolevar. In 1977 they purchased Wheelers Restaurant, and they operated the two businesses in tandem until they sold Wheelers Restaurant in 1990 and closed The Standish Bakery in 2010. In addition to his pursuits in business, Phil enjoyed competing with his horses, deer hunting, watching the Detroit Lions and Tigers, playing euchre, hoarding tractors, and mostly, family get-togethers.
Phil has left a gaping hole among his family and friends. Phil leaves behind his loving wife of 63 years; Mary Ann; and son, Perry (Rose), daughter-in-law Lori; daughters Linda (Terry) Benchley, Diane (Kenny) Senske, and Kelly (Dan) Meschke. His grandchildren; Jilanne (Adam), Brianne (Troy), Karmyn (Landon), Lance (Heather), Erika (Tyce), Elizabeth (Jake), Michael (Stephanie), Nathanial, Emily, Derek (Tia), Philip (Aubrey), and Olivia. His great-grandchildren; Caleb, Ian, Garrett, Kristina, Kaitlyn, Alainee, Addilyn, Anniston, Tripp, Viviana, Lawson, Winslet, Brit, Brayden, Allie, Max, Kate, Logan, and Mason. Special family friends, Henry Senske and Larry Emans. He was preceded in death by his son Christopher Pelton.
Phil leaves behind his sisters and brother-in-law, Ellen aka “Janie” Brown, Barbara (Rome) Salgat, Connie Bero, and David Kolevar; sisters-in-law, Maxine Pelton, and Judy Kolevar. Philip was predeceased by his brother Faye aka Jr. and Lonny; sisters Dorothy and Joanne, brothers-in-law, Don Mitchum, Bill Brown, Steve Bero, Robert Kolevar, John Dwyer.; sisters-in-law, Pat Dwyer, and Sandy Kolevar.
Philip was a proud supporter of those who served in the military and those in police service. He was a member of the Resurrection of the Lord Catholic Church and Ducks Unlimited. He served on the Arenac County Fair board and ardently supported the 4-H horse clubs.
The Pelton family would like to thank the staff of Eden Fields for the support and love they showed to our entire family. We would also like to thank everyone at The Care Team Home Health and Hospice.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Resurrection of The Lord Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Ronald Wagner presiding. Friends may visit at Lee-Ramsay Funeral Home, Standish, Michigan, on Monday, October 23, 2023, from 2:00 to 8:00 pm and on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, friends may visit at the church from 10:00 am until the time of Mass.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to VFW post 3724.
