Karl William Pitko

Karl William Pitko, age 85, of Cedarville, Michigan, died on March 15, 2017 at his home. He was born on December 28, 1931 in DeTour Township, Michigan, to John Alfred and Sophia Irene (Merva) Pitko. Karl was born and raised on Caribou Lake and attended DeTour Area Schools. He graduated from DeTour High School and went to Lake Superior State University for 2 years. He met Jacquilyn Gorman when they stood up in their friends Don and Diane Frankovich’s wedding. Karl and Jackie married on October 21, 1961, at Immaculate Conception Church in Moran, Michigan. Before moving to Cedarville, Karl owned Caribou Forest Products and built homes and cottages in the DeTour area. While living In Cedarville, he built Loons Point Campground and operated Karl’s Cedar Shingles. Karl and Jackie raised their family and enjoyed life on the water. Karl was a member of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Hessel, Michigan, and served as a member of parish council, finance committee, and Minister of the Eucharist. He was also a Third Degree Knights of Columbus member of Council 7100 and Fourth Degree in Sault Ste. Marie. Michigan. Karl was always working and loved to do anything that had to do with wood. Karl is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jackie Pitko of Cedarville; children, Allison Pitko and Karl Pitko Jr. both of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, Tyler, Trent, and Taylor Marie Pitko; great-grandchildren, Vanessa, Cooper, and Spencer Pitko; sister, Irene Alto of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; sisters-in-law, Mary Pitko of Rapid River, Michigan, Hattie Pitko of Cedarville, Joann (Ronald) McMillian of St. Ignace, Michigan, Sharon (Roger) Adams of Omaha, Nebraska, and Beverly Gorman of St. Ignace. Karl was preceded in death by sisters, Barbara Pitko and Cecelia Questard; brothers, Leonard, Edward, Miles, John “Jim”, and Louis Pitko. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 20, 2017 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford, Michigan. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on March 21, 2017, at 11:00 A.M. at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Hessel. Burial will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004.

Tributes

Karl William Pitko

December 28, 1931 - March 15, 2017