Wilfred P. Pekrul, 82, of Indian River, Michigan, died Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at Hiland Cottage in Petoskey, Michigan. A funeral mass will be held at the Cross in the Woods in Indian River, Michigan on Tuesday, January 14, 2014.
Will was born May 3, 1931, in Standish, Michigan, to Fritz and Eddist Hay Pekrul. He grew up in West Branch, graduating from school in 1949. A veteran of the US Navy, he served during the Korean War on the USS Pine Island.
On July 16, 1955, Will married Muriel Hallgren in West Branch. Will attended M.S.U., then returned to West Branch to work in the bottled gas industry. In 1962, Will was employed by Petgas in Petoskey, retiring in 1978. In 1985 he established Straits Reality in Indian River in the former Martin’s Landing building, which he operated until 1995. Above all, Will’s greatest love and joy was his family. He took his family on numerous outings including camping, morel mushroom picking, ice skating, skiing, snowmobiling, and boating. He also enjoyed traveling to visit his family. He liked exploring the Northern Michigan area and worked with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to map the cross-country ski trails of Wildwood. Will was a member of the Cross in the Woods, Knights of Columbus, Indian River V.F.W. Post, and Indian River Sportsman’s Club.
He is survived by his wife, Muriel; children, Kathleen (Mike) Mullen of Huntersville, NC, Daniel Pekrul of Lexington, KY, Lisa (Kevin) Lange of Clarkston, MI, Jayne (Keith) Higginbotham of Athens, (and their children Jill, Joseph and Lauren Higginbotham). Overall, he had ten grandchildren, three great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Will was preceded in death by his siblings, Alfred and Benjamin Pekrul and Evelyn Tuck.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cross in the Woods Catholic Church in Indian River, Michigan or V.F.W. Post 7439, Indian River. Lintz Funeral Home is serving the Pekrul family.
