Pete Horsic

Peter ?Pete? W. Horsic, 89, of Benton Harbor, passed away Monday, May 9, 2005 at Fairview Red Wing Hospital in Red Wing, Minnesota. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph with the Rev. Robert Braman officiating. A luncheon will be served immediately after the church service. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. Friends may call from 5-7 P.M. Thursday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to the First Congregational Church of St. Joseph, the American Heart Association, the Diabetes Association, or to a Wildlife/Animal donation of choice. Friends wishing to send condolences may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Pete was born on October 6, 1915, in Vienna, Austria. He was the son of Paul and Sidonia (Kamber) Horsic. In 1922 he immigrated to the United States with his parents, sister, and grandmother. Pete served his country in World War II in various theaters of the war including serving under General George Patton in the 4th Armored Division, the invasion at Normandy, at the Battle of the Bulge, and at Bastone in which he received a Silver Star Medal and a Purple Heart. Upon completion of his military service, he married Juanita M. Robertson on December 16, 1945 at the First Congregational Church in St. Joseph, MI. To this union were born three children. He worked for 32 years at Whirlpool achieving the title of Plant Facility Engineer. He retired in 1980. He was an active member of the First Congregational Church of St. Joseph, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Whirlpool Management Leaders Club, and Whirlpool Old Timers Club. Pete was an expert craftsman who enjoyed his hobby of working with wood. He also took great pride in caring for animals and wildlife. In addition to his wife Juanita of 59 years, Pete is survived by his daughters, Linda C. (Ken) Fairchild of Midland, Texas, and Lori A. Horsic (Mary Curtis) of Red Wing, MN; his son, Jeffery P. Horsic (Roger Newman) of St. Joseph; granddaughter, Jennifer (Dave) Hale of Stafford, TX; grandson, Jason Horner of Fort Worth, TX; Special Niece, Bonnie Bovo; and nieces and nephews, Gloria (Tom) Mance, Pauline (Jerry) Little, Louis Lodyga (Oscar), Joe (Sue) Lodyga, and Betsy (Bob) Speybroeck. Pete was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Mrs. Minnie Loydga.