Peter Eugene Pesch

Lifetime Plymouth resident, Peter Eugene “Gene” Pesch, 79, died at his residence, 304 Baker St., at 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2005. Gene had been ill for some time; he died in the loving care of his family and the Marshall County Hospice.

Born April 21, 1926, in Chicago, Ill., Gene was the son of Peter Eugene and Elizabeth Buckberg Pesch. He graduated from Plymouth High School with the class of 1943.

Gene worked for John Meck Industries until, in 1944, during World War II, he joined the United States Navy. He was stationed in the Philippines and was honorably discharged in 1946.

After his release from the service, he went back to work at Meck Industries, helping to design some of the chassis for the first television sets that Meck produced.

On September 1, 1947, in Plymouth, Gene and Jayne Elkins were married in St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church.

In 1954, he and Bob McDaniel opened Plymouth T.V. Sales & Service. He left the partnership to enter a business venture with his brother in Albion, Mich. The family resided in Michigan for six years after which he returned to Plymouth in 1967 where he had his own TV business on N. Michigan St.

He later moved his shop into the Cook Bros. Furniture store where he remained until a stroke forced him into retirement in 1995.

In his retirement years, his love of music and electronics evolved into a hobby of burning C.D’s for his friends and family. Somewhat of an electronic genius, Gene embraced technology and marveled at every new gadget on the market. He understood them and reveled in their complexity.

Gene was an avid Cub and Notre Dame fan for his entire life.

The activities of his 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild was the focus of his life.

Gene also appreciated the simpler things of life… a well-prepared meal or a good steak – no doubt learned from his mother who ran the Plymouth Café for years or simply a phone call from a friend brought much pleasure. In a stubborn sort of way, he had a great sense of humor. Content to be in the background, he was happy to be with his family and friends.

He was a member of St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church and of the Knights of Columbus.

Gene is survived by Jayne, his wife of 58 years and by their four children. They are Philip E. Pesch, Oakland, Calif.; Matthew J. and Sherry Pesch, Woodstock, Ga.; Patrick C. and Ginni Pesch, South Lyon, Mich.; and M. Mindy and William Langdon, Plymouth, Ind. His 10 grandchildren are: Simon Pesch, Carrie Pesch, Tyler Langdon, Travis Langdon, Andy Langdon, Claire Pesch, Rachael Pesch, Emily Pesch, Dylan Pesch and Andrea Pesch along with a great-grandchild, Denali Conner.

A sister-in-law, Shirley Pesch, of Lansing, Mich., also survives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Joseph Pesch and a sister, Suzanne Pesch Young.

Friends will be welcomed by the family on Friday, October 7, 2005, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, where a Rosary will be said at 7:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Gene will be held at 9:30 a.m. in St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church, 615 N. Center St., Plymouth, on Saturday, October 8, 2005. The Rev. Father William Kummer will officiate.

Cremation will follow the funeral service and the interment of ashes will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.

Memorial gifts in Gene’s memory may be made to St. Michael’s Parish or to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 112 S. Center St. Suite C, Plymouth, IN 46563.