Dennis James Pelky Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Dennis James Pelky “Denny” 1943-2014 Dennis James Pelky “Denny”, age 71, of Kenosha, passed away and went home to be with his family on Saturday November 8th, after a courageous battle with cancer over a 25 year period. He was born on July 4th, 1943 in Racine, WI, the son of the late Alvin “Al” and Dorothy Nelson Pelky. He attended local schools in the Racine area and while going to school, he worked for his father’s Sinclair gas station in Racine, WI. Following school Dennis began playing football for the Racine Raiders as a running back. He played for the Raiders for 7 years. He was employed as a truck driver for the Payne and Dolan Construction Company, A.W. Oaks and Son and later for Big Buck Lumber Company until he was forced to retire due to this rare Gorham’s disease diagnosis. Denny enjoyed, sitting back with his family and friends and having a beer, reminiscing of the good old days he had growing up with his family and friends. He was fortunate to spend a lot of time over the years with his dad Al, taking him fishing up north and going on an occasional road trip. He loved following sports especially football making the annual family Super Bowl party loud and memorable; he always bet on the underdog. He was one of the founding members of the Boar’s Nest Hunting Club, and he carried on the family tradition until present. Dennis loved spending time at the Boars Nest, hunting, fishing, working the land with his bulldozer and holding an annual fishing contest for all the kids in the surrounding neighborhood at his pond on Father’s Day weekend. He also enjoyed restoring cars, working on heavy equipment, going to car shows, where he showed a few of the cars he built, his annual trip to Canada for fishing and bear hunting, traveling with his companion Gerie, and taking an occasional four wheeling trip out of state with his brother Gary and son DJ. He was a member of the Racine Raiders Alumni, and the Racine Stein Club. Surviving Dennis is his son, Dennis Jr, “DJ”. of Kenosha, his loving companion of 27 years Gerie Larsen of Kenosha, her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchild, one sister Joyce Kerkman of Kansasville, WI two brothers Alvin Jr. of Canon, CO and Gary (Emily) Pelky of Racine, WI. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends he made over the years. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law Jerry Kerkman. A visitation will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home 1212 Lathrop Ave. Racine on Wednesday November 12th from 5-7 p.m., and continue on Thursday 13th at the Borchardt & Moder Funeral Home N. 5645 State Rd. 76 Shiocton, WI from 12 noon until 1:30 p.m… “It seems that that everyone who ever met Dennis, never forgot him, he had huge heart, jolly laugh and left a ton of memories and stories in his wake”. Dennis will be laid to rest in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Bear Creek, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice Alliance10220 Prairie Ridge Blvd. Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158 or Shot for Hope 1168 56th St. Hudson, WI 54016. “The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Hospice Alliance for the wonderful care given to Dennis in his final days. And to the staff and Doctors at Froedtert Memorial Hospital for all their efforts in trying to stop his cancer.” “Go Rest in Peace You’ve Earned It”

Dennis James Pelky

July 4, 1943 - November 8, 2014