Peter Palis
February 22nd, 1924 - July 11th, 2023
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Peter's Obituary
Peter J. Palis, 99, of Sodus passed away peacefully the morning of July 11, 2023.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Parish, 220 Church Street, St. Joseph. Burial will take place following the service at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Sodus. Friends may meet with the family from 5:00 P.M until 7:00 P.M. on Monday, July 17, 2023, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph.
Peter was born February 22, 1924, in Chicago, IL, to John and Anna (Pavletic) Palis who preceded him in death. Peter was also preceded in death by his brothers John, Daniel, Edward, and sister Lucille.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Virginia Palis, children Gregory Palis, Nancy Palis, Regina Palis and Vedette (Kevin) Cordes, and grandchildren Katrina Cordes and Konrad Cordes.
Peter was affectionately known as Pistol Pete by his family because he was tenacious and incredibly survived many tragic events. At 9 months, he had double pneumonia. At 10 years of age, he was struck by a Model A coupe and was unconscious for three days. At 14, he began hemorrhaging from the nasal cavity and had 7 operations before it was discovered he had cancer. He then proceeded to be one of the first people in the U.S. to receive experimental radiation treatments at the Chicago Tumor Institute. He was cured by the treatment and could very well be the longest surviving cancer patient of 85 years!
Peter attempted to join the army during WW2 and was denied due to his medical history. However, after the war ended, he attempted to fulfill his patriotic duty again to join the army and was successful. During his four years in the Army, he spent two years in Korea.
Peter was a long-time member of the St. Joseph Catholic Parish and was active with Sister Mary Ann Rybarczyk in fundraising for the building of the current Our Lady of the Lake gymnasium.
He was a 38-year employee of Auto Specialties leaving as a maintenance machinist in 1981. Peter was also was an active fruit farmer until 2015. He was a 50-year member of the Berrien County and Sauk Trails Resource Conservation & Development Area. He also was a lifetime member of the St. Joseph – Benton Harbor Elks 541 and a member of the American Legion Post 53 in Eau Claire.
In lieu of flowers, Peter desired donations be made to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School, 915 Pleasant St., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 269-556-9450.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Parish, 220 Church Street, St. Joseph. Burial will take place following the service at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Sodus. Friends may meet with the family from 5:00 P.M until 7:00 P.M. on Monday, July 17, 2023, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph.
Peter was born February 22, 1924, in Chicago, IL, to John and Anna (Pavletic) Palis who preceded him in death. Peter was also preceded in death by his brothers John, Daniel, Edward, and sister Lucille.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Virginia Palis, children Gregory Palis, Nancy Palis, Regina Palis and Vedette (Kevin) Cordes, and grandchildren Katrina Cordes and Konrad Cordes.
Peter was affectionately known as Pistol Pete by his family because he was tenacious and incredibly survived many tragic events. At 9 months, he had double pneumonia. At 10 years of age, he was struck by a Model A coupe and was unconscious for three days. At 14, he began hemorrhaging from the nasal cavity and had 7 operations before it was discovered he had cancer. He then proceeded to be one of the first people in the U.S. to receive experimental radiation treatments at the Chicago Tumor Institute. He was cured by the treatment and could very well be the longest surviving cancer patient of 85 years!
Peter attempted to join the army during WW2 and was denied due to his medical history. However, after the war ended, he attempted to fulfill his patriotic duty again to join the army and was successful. During his four years in the Army, he spent two years in Korea.
Peter was a long-time member of the St. Joseph Catholic Parish and was active with Sister Mary Ann Rybarczyk in fundraising for the building of the current Our Lady of the Lake gymnasium.
He was a 38-year employee of Auto Specialties leaving as a maintenance machinist in 1981. Peter was also was an active fruit farmer until 2015. He was a 50-year member of the Berrien County and Sauk Trails Resource Conservation & Development Area. He also was a lifetime member of the St. Joseph – Benton Harbor Elks 541 and a member of the American Legion Post 53 in Eau Claire.
In lieu of flowers, Peter desired donations be made to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School, 915 Pleasant St., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 269-556-9450.
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