Paul "Pete" Regis Merchberger Jr

Paul “Pete” Regis Merchberger Jr., age 77, of Barbeau, Michigan, died December 22, 2016, at home. He was born November 19, 1939, in Pontiac, Michigan, to Paul Regis and Agnes Rosalie (Bedard) Merchberger. Pete grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan, where he graduated from Shrine High School. He joined the Unites States Marines where he served for several years. He married Maebelle Marie Taschner on September 7, 1963. He worked in small engine sales for his father. In the early 1970’s, he began driving truck. He and Maebelle moved their family to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in 1975 and he began driving truck for Graham Trucking. He continued trucking with his own truck, retiring in 2011. Pete enjoyed listening to NPR while on the road. Pete was a lifetime member of the St. Mary’s River Sportsmen Club, a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and a member of the American Legion Post #3 in Sault Ste. Marie. Pete was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding anything that could go fast, especially snowmobiles and 4-wheelers. He had fun hanging out with his friends at the Cozy Corners Tavern and Grill. Pete is survived by sons, Eric Merchberger of Barbeau and Roger (Maggie) Merchberger of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; daughter, Cheryl Merchberger of Sault Ste. Marie; grandchildren, Samantha (William) Pratt, and Karl, Brian, Adam, Thomas M., and Victoria Merchberger; great grandchildren, Maraya, Kaiden, and Zoey; sisters, Barbara Nelson of North Carolina, Mary (Richard) Starkweather of Neebish Island, Michigan; brothers, Robert (Linda) Merchberger of Goodrich, Michigan, and Mark (Elizabeth) Merchberger of Cedarville, Michigan; and former daughter-in-law, Rebecca Miller. Pete was preceded in death by his wife, Maebelle; sister, Agnes "Betsy" DesRosiers; brothers-in-law, Bill Nelson, Frank Taschner, John Taschner and Robert Taschner. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 5, 2017, from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford, Michigan. Funeral services will be Friday, January 6, at 10:00 A.M. at R. Galer Funeral Home with Brother John Hascall conducting the service. Burial will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Mary’s River Sportsmen Club, P.O. Box 6, Barbeau, MI 49710.

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Paul "Pete" Regis Merchberger Jr

November 19, 1939 - December 22, 2016