John Pancheri

IRON MOUNTAIN - John F. Pancheri, 85, of 1400 W. "A" St., Iron Mountain, died Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, at the Dickinson County Memorial Hospital. He was born April 26, 1923, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Serafino and Santina (Feira) Pancheri. John served in the Civilian Conservation Corps at the Escanaba River in Gwinn as a truck driver. He served as a platoon sergeant in the U. S. Army Infantry from 1943 to 1946. He received the American Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, and WWII Victory Ribbon. He also served in the National Guard as a motor sergeant from 1949-1951. John married Shirley Bouffiou on Feb. 7, 1948. In 1951, he returned to high school and graduated with the class of 1952. John worked for Montgomery Ward for 25 years. He then worked as custodian at the Iron Mountain High School for 11 years and for 10 years as custodian of the Dickinson Area Catholic School, retiring in 2000. John was a 4th Degree member Knights of Columbus and served as Grand Knight. He was a member of St. Mary & St. Joseph Church and the U.C.T. He also enjoyed playing bocce and was active in the Dickinson Area Bocce Association. John is survived by his wife, Shirley; six children, Jack (Julie) Pancheri, Steve (Anna Fox) Pancheri, Barbara (Dennis) Bailey, Scott (Brenda) Pancheri, and Jenny (Jeff) Crosson, all of Iron Mountain, and Roberta (Robert) LaFave of Escanaba; 19 grandchildren, Jamie (Bridget) Pancheri, Matt (Jessica) Pancheri, Brooke Pancheri, Daymon Pancheri, Melissa (Scott) Rutter, Marcine Bailey, Brendan Pancheri, Brittany Pancheri, Sarah Snowdon, Jon Qualley, C.J. Qualley Courtney Qualley, Alex Crosson, Andrew Crosson, Austin Crosson, Tabitha Sworski, Adam (Shannon) Sworski, Maranda LaFave, and Mariah LaFave; 15 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and his dog, Duke. He was preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters. Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home. The 4th Degree Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 6 p.m. and the parish prayers will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home and at 10 a.m. at St. Mary & St. Joseph Church. Fr. Daniel Zaloga will offer the Mass of Christian Burial. The grandchildren will serve as pallbearers, with the 4th Degree serving as honorary pallbearers. Burial will be in Cemetery Park with full military rites. The family requests that flowers be omitted. Condolences may be expressed to the family of John Pancheri online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.

John Pancheri

August 8, 1923 - August 8, 2008