Robert W. Petro
Sept. 25, 1920-Oct. 22, 2002
Mr. Robert William Petro, 82, of Horton Court, Niles, Mich., died following an extended illness at 10:25 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2002, in the Lakeland Medical Center, Niles.
He was born on Sept. 25, 1920, in Kaleva, Mich., to Wilfred Rich and Vada Irene Petro. Irene died in 1923 leaving Bob and his brother, Dick in the care of her mother until Wilfred's marriage to Emmie Boal in 1930. Bob had lived most of his life in Niles, and was graduated from Niles High School in 1940 where he was a member of the state champion cross-country team.
He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps, discharged as a corporal. He earned both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in wood utilization from Michigan State University, East Lansing. He had been employed by the Singer Sewing Machine Company, Simplicity Pattern Company, Bremen Bearing and Garden City Products.
Mr. Petro's greatest love was in serving the Lord and his faithful attendance as a member of the Apostolic Temple Church, South Bend, Ind., where he served as an usher for over 30 years. He was also a member of Chapter 865 of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Niles.
On March 10, 1946, in Ypsilanti, Mich., he was married to the former Janet Arlene Pollock, who survives. He is also survived by their children, Larry David Petro of Baltimore, Md., Michael Paul (Roxann) Petro of South Bend, Stephen William (Rebecca) Petro of South River, N.J., Deborah Sue (Edward) Stankevich of Chelsea, Mich., Joan Elizabeth (Richard) Breyer of Nashville, Tenn., Phillip Douglas (Shannon) Petro of Flat Rock, Mich., Timothy Richard (Charlene) Petro of Denver, Colo., and Lydia Anne (Larry) Reichanadter of Niles; grandchildren, Kelly Anne Petro, Sara Renee and Beth Arlene Stankevich, Max Alexander and Nina Rachel Breyer, Danielle Lenee Petro, Schuyler Miller Petro, and Alex Michael and Adam Jacob Reichanadter; and by his brother, Richard Wayne Petro of Niles, and half sister, Olive Petro of Chicago, Ill.
Funeral services for Mr. Robert W. Petro will be at 10 a.m. (Ind. time) Friday, Oct. 25, in the Apostolic Temple Church, South Bend, at the corner of Ironwood Road and Ewing Avenue, with Bishop P.D. Rowe officiating, assisted by the Rev. P.T. Rowe, both of the church. Committal services will be at 2 p.m. (Mich. time) at the graveside at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles, and will conclude with a Veteran's Flag Presentation by American Legion Post #26 Comdr. John McLaughlin.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. (Mich. time) today in the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.
Contributions in memory of Mr. Petro may be made to the Apostolic Temple Church.
October 24, 2003; Submitted by family member; publication details unknown