Ronald E. Peck, 75, of Gaylord died at home on October 13, 2015.
Ron was born in Gaylord on February 10, 1940, to Grover and Agatha Peck. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School and attended Aquinas College and Central Michigan University before joining the U.S. Postal Service where he served for 37 years as a Rural Carrier and State Steward.
Growing up in Gaylord, Ron and his buddies hunted, fished, and camped. He and his faithful dog Corky had many adventures together, the most infamous of which was when Corky got picked up by the local dog catcher for the umpteenth time. Certain that Corky was unjustly imprisoned, Ron set out to rescue him. In the middle of the night, he broke into the pound and freed Corky -- and all the other dogs as well.
Ron was a man of many talents. As a young man, he produced, directed, and starred in several home movies with his younger brother Ken. His early films were of the western or pirate variety. Ron also dabbled in magic and could amaze friends and family with many magic and card tricks. Some of his later films featured magic, and his grandkids still love to watch “The Dance of the Muffin Tin.”
Ron was very active in the Gaylord community, having an instrumental role in starting the Gaylord Community Center. He served on the Zoning Commission for several years and also as a volunteer fireman and ambulance driver. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus from the age of 19 and served as chair for the St. Mary Cathedral CSA drive. After his retirement from the Postal Service, he and his wife Irene started a tutoring business and helped dozens of area school kids.
Over the years, Ron enjoyed many hobbies, including bowling, maintaining a meticulous lawn, decorating the house with Christmas lights (adding more every year), playing pinochle (he was always the scorekeeper), and many other games. In fact, Ron invented his own card game called “White Lightning,” and if you ever played it, you understood why he called it that.
Ron loved his 50’s music, Gene Autry, and Michigan State. He was handy with a tool and could fix anything. Several years ago, convinced that his water bill was too high, he took it upon himself to figure out the cubic measurements of water usage, conducted several experiments to prove his theory, and presented the results to the Water Department. His water bill was subsequently lowered.
Ron also enjoyed snowmobiling, golfing, and fishing. Once while ice fishing with an old family friend, the ice gave way, and the old family friend was in trouble. Maneuvering ever so slowly and carefully along the ice while on his belly, Ron was able to pull out the friend from the icy water. After that incident, Ron always felt he had a little bit of extra pull with the big guy upstairs since that old family friend happened to be a priest.
Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Grover and Agatha Peck, his sister Diane and brother-in-law Kenneth Fitzek, and his brother and sister-in-law Kenneth and Yong Peck.
Ron is survived by his wife of 54 years, Irene, and his five daughters: Jacqueline (Edward) Westerhof, Kathleen (Dean) Haueisen, Julie (Rich) Giddens, Ronalee (Patrick) Henderhan, Kelly (Andrew) Hennessey. Ron is beloved Papa to grandchildren Nicholas and Taylor Westerhof, Michael and Jack Haueisen, Bailey and Andrew Giddens, Findley Henderhan, and Sierra Spurlock. He is also Uncle Ron to all his special nieces and nephews.
Heartfelt thanks to Toni, Kim, Laura, and Dr. Michelle LaFave for their wonderful care of Ron during these past months.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Ron will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 17, 2015 at St. Mary Cathedral where the family will visit with friends beginning at 9:00am.
Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to Hospice of Michigan through the funeral home, P.O. Box 249, Gaylord, MI 49734. Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service. Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com
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