Willy G. Pecceu

Willy G. Pecceu, age 79, of Tekonsha, died at Oaklawn Hospital on Friday morning, December 15, 2006. Willy was born on February 25, 1927 in Staden, Belgium to Camiel and Maria (VanGheluve) Pecceu. He grew up in Belgium on his family''s farm, completing his education there after studying agriculture in college for two years. He was married to Godelieve Marie Maes on September 15, 1953 in Mulebeke, Belgium. The couple moved to Marshall in 1953 after their marriage. They were sponsored by Robert Maes who owned and operated Bear Creek Farms on Bear Creek Curve in Marshall Township. The couple settled there in the farm''s tenant house, and Willy worked at the farm. One of his tasks was building the stone wall that still stands there today. In the mid 1950''s Willy went to work at the former St. Regis Paper Company in Marshall, where he worked until 1978. In 1957, the couple bought a farm on N Drive North in Convis Township. They made their home and farmed there, until selling it in 1968 when they bought their farm in Tekonsha Township. Willy loved to farm. He judged a good day''s work by how much he got done as well as how much he hurt that night! His wife and daughter''s were part of the farm operation, but their jobs were anything but the planting! That would be Willy''s job. Willy loved a good straight row, and anyone who has driven by over the years will attest to his ability to plant one! Willy was active at the farm until his health would no longer allow it about two years ago. He was very proud and satisfied that his grandson, Caleb Wheeler, moved into the farmhouse and continued to operate the family farm. For a while, Willy enjoyed woodworking , creating many quality furniture pieces for his family. He was prone to a number of accidents during his farming career, enough that Godelieve and the kids were amazed at his consistent good fortune by his surviving them! Willy was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. This last year, he was able to enjoy a final trip to Belgium with the help of his family. He was able to visit his two surviving brothers, and familiar places from his childhood. Surviving are his wife, Godelieve; their daughters and son-in-laws, Christine and Mike Parker of Tekonsha, Rita and Mike Reincke of Ceresco, Mary Ann and Bob Wheeler of Marshall and Rose Mary and Ron Harvey of Tekonsha; 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Hugo Pecceu of Staden, Belgium and Winok Pecceu of Roeselare, Belgium; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Willy G. Pecceu Jr. in 1959 as an infant, and 4 brothers, Gerard, Marcel, Joseph and Boudewyn Pecceu. Friends may call at Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 9AM to 8PM, with family present 1PM-3PM and 5PM-7PM. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home Sunday evening at 7PM. Funeral mass will be held on Monday, Dec. 18, at 11AM at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshall, with Rev. Stephen Naas officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. The family suggests that friends who wish make memorial contributions to The Fountain Clinic. Assistance with memorials is available at Kempf Funeral Home.