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January 2, 2013

Michael J. Petersak

Commercial-News

CATLIN — Michael J. Petersak, 92, well-known Catlin area farmer, passed away at 11:10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, 2012, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Michael was born June 17, 1920, in Williamson County, Ill., to Michael and Anna Haluska Petersak. He married Eve Valantas on Feb. 9, 1946, in Westville. Eve passed away on Sept. 8, 2006.

Survivors include two sons, Mike Petersak of Danville and Tom (Tracie) Petersak of Westville; one daughter, Patty (Jim) Crossetti of Fishers, Ind.; one sister, Elizabeth Creighton of Danville; and four grandchildren, Jennifer, Annie, Tommy and Tanna. He was preceded in death by one brother, John.

Michael served in the Army from 1941 to 1945 with several tours in Australia, New Guinea, Dutch East Indies and Biak Island. As a lifelong farmer in the area, some of his most crowning achievements included being the first local farmer to dry grain on his farm. Because of that feat a group of Japanese Agriculture Administrators visited his farm in 1961 to inspect his system. Michael also self manufactured one of the very first eight-row planters in his own tool shed.

Michael was also a supervisor at F.L. Jacobs Company. He enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs baseball games, gardening, playing cards, and enjoyed his grandkids’ activities, visiting with his friends at the coffee shop and traveling the area. Michael especially enjoyed when he could gather all of his family at his home for the holidays. He often said he enjoyed “Good Times with Good People and Good Food.” He was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Westville and Knights of Columbus.

Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Westville. Father Timothy Sauppe to officiate. Burial, with military honors, at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Westville. Visitation: 4-8 p.m. Thursday at Robison Chapel in Catlin. Rosary at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Memorials to the Schlarman Academy in care of Robison Chapel.

Online condolences at www.robisonchapel.com.

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