Weldon F. Pearo

Weldon Pearo was a hard-working, fun-loving family man, a man who epitomized everything so great about our Greatest Generation. He was a proud veteran, a devoted worker, and a loyal friend. More than anything, Weldon was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who was always happy to share his life with his loving family. Weldons story began on a snowy winter day in 1917, as the holidays drew near in Cedarville, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula. Those were difficult days, as World War I was taking its toll on every family across the globe. Yet on December 23, 1917, John and Laura (Johnson) Pearo found reason to celebrate the holiday season, with the gift of a baby boy, a son they named Weldon. Weldon was one of 12 children in the large Catholic family, joining sisters Gloria, Mickey, Elaine, Katie and Margaret, and brothers Steward, Arthur, Don, Louis, Danny and Gerald. Sadly, Katie, Margaret and Danny died at a young age. Weldons father was a mechanic on ferry boats across the Straits of Mackinac, while his mother was a hardworking homemaker. When he was young, the family packed up and moved to Muskegon, where they settled in the citys Lakeside district. Weldon loved it there, and when he wasnt attending the old St. Marys School, he was busy swimming or fishing in the lake. Weldon was a hardworking young boy, though, and also worked as a caddy at Muskegon Country Club to help put food on the familys table. His sense of devotion to his family made him leave school after the eighth grade, so he could work full-time in a airplane factory to help make ends meet. Soon enough, however, his country would need his services even more. The world was going to war, and Weldon could see what was coming. Rather than wait for a letter in the mail, Weldon headed to Detroit on October 10, 1940, and enlisted in the U.S. Army, ready to do whatever he could. Weldon served in the 156th Infantrys Company D, and over the course of the next few years of his brave service, he saw action in the Panama Canal, North Africa, Italy and Belgium in the European Theatre. When the war ended, Weldon was discharged, though his sense of service and duty was only heightened by his experiences overseas. He began working for the Civilian Conservation Corps, and spent his days digging out sand dunes to make roads to the Michigan beaches. Of course, Weldons social life was about to get more interesting, as well. One night he went to a local dance hall, and met a beautiful young woman named Frances Truman, who caught his eye. They began talking and dancing, and the sparks flew between them. The couple began dating, and soon fell in love and were married, on October 12, 1946, in Muskegon, beginning a wonderful life together. The newlyweds started out in a little trailer, followed by government-assisted housing, tiding them over while Weldon built a home of their own in his free time near Spring Lake. Weldon began working for the Operating Engineers Local 324 to make ends meet. It was a good job, but required him to drive all over the state from jobsite to jobsite. He loved the job, though, loved being outdoors, and being a part of a team that built something. It was also good pay for a guy with an eighth-grade education, even though he was on the road five days a week. Somehow, he and Frances found time to start their family, and were blessed with three children in the coming years, Thomas, Lonnie and Gerald. Weldon was such a happy and proud father, and the epitome of a good family man. As hardworking as he was at his demanding job, he always made time for his family. When he came home on weekends, Weldon was devoted to spending time with his wife and children. Theyd pile in the car (more driving for him), and head up north, where he took them hunting for morel mushrooms, on a family day trip, or especially, fishing (Weldon was passionate about fishing). He bought all the kids fishing poles, and taught them the tricks of how to fish for trout in the small creeks. Weldon was an avid angler his whole life, from fishing in Muskegon Lake as a little boy. He and Frances were also very involved in the Spring Lake High School Boosters Club, and supported their kids in all their school activities over the years. Weldon retired from Local 324 in 1977, at the age of 62. He had put in more than 30 years of dedicated service, and it was time for a well-deserved break. He stayed very busy, of course, and even worked at a blueberry farm, running the automatic picker until he was almost 80! Weldon was also a very devoted veteran, who donated his time to the Disabled American Veterans. Weldon enjoyed his retirement, though, especially spending time with his family. He and Fran enjoyed going camping in their camper, or having the family over to their house for a fish fry. Weldon loved spending time with his sons, too, whether it was playing golf together every other weekend, or heading up north before dawn to fish in Manistee or Frankfort. They loved to just be together and talk, enjoying each others company. Weldon had his own interests, of course, whether it was fishing, bowling, hunting or playing golf, or especially, reading his novels. He loved to read, anything by Louis LAmour, and had all the authors classic westerns. Most of all, Weldon loved spending time with his beloved Fran. They shared a wonderful marriage through the years, and always enjoyed doing the same things. They celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2006, 60 years of loving, laughing and being together. Sadly, Fran died on July 2, 2007, which Weldon took so understandably hard. After so many years together, it was hard to be apart. Weldons health began declining, as well, and he sadly died on Sunday, September 30, 2007, at the age of 89. Weldon was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life full of hard work, dedicated service, and complete devotion to his family. He was a proud veteran, a member of our Greatest Generation, and a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Most of all, Weldon was simply a good and decent man, and an even better example. He will be greatly missed. Weldon is survived by his 2 sons, Thomas (Gayle) Pearo, Lonnie G. (Anna) Pearo; 5 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; 3 sisters, Gloria Chapman, Mickey Cannon, Elaine (Eugene) Cannon; 4 brothers, Steward Pearo, Arthur Pearo, Don (Carol) Pearo, Lovie (Sandy) Pearo. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Fran; 1 son, Gerald L.; 2 brothers, Danny and Gerald - MIA in Korea; 2 sisters, Katie and Margaret. Services are scheduled for Thursday, October 4, 2007, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Michaels Catholic Church with Father Thomas Brown officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Visitation is Wednesday, 7-9 p.m., at Clock Life Story Funeral Home, Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book.