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- from newspaper obituary (findagrave.com)
GLADSTONE - Ken Pickard passed away Friday morning, Sept. 30, 2011, at Marquette General Hospital after a brief illness and surgery. He had most recently resided at Lakeview Assisted Living in Gladstone. Born June 16, 1924, to August and Eva (Dahn) Pickard, Ken was a lifelong resident of Gladstone. He married Genevieve M. Murker on July 20, 1946. The couple had been married 46 years when she preceded him in death in February 1992. Work began at an early age as Ken's first job was a pin-setter at the Rialto Bowling Alley. Mr. Pickard was part of the C.C. Corps at Mormon Creek, later working as a laborer at Atlas Plywood Corporation, Buckeye location. He was further employed at Allis Chalmers in Milwaukee before returning to Gladstone where he found employment as a conductor/brakeman for the Soo Line Railroad, for which he worked 34 years. Ken was an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force, serving three years as part of the China-Burma Campaign during World War II. In his early years, Ken enjoyed hunting, swimming, playing cribbage and gardening. His passion for flowers and edibles could be observed by passers-by of his Minnesota Avenue home. This love is shared by his daughters, sons and grandchildren. Mr. Pickard's fraternal and civic interests included: Masonic Lodge 396 as a life-time member, Ambassador of Ahmed Temple Shriners of Marquette, Two time Past Commander of Gladstone Post 71 American Legion and active member for more than 68 years, Past Grand Sous Organizer of the 40 & 8 American Legion, Gladstone Yacht Club, Escanaba Elks Lodge 354 and a member of the Soo Line Conductors' organization and Historical Society. Ken and fellow Soo Line Retirees were instrumental in the relocation, preservation and care-taking of Soo Line Steam Engine 730, a gift to the city of Gladstone in 1961, located on the CNN property near Highway US 2. Ken was a proud union brother of the United Transportation Union. Ken is survived by his daughters, Helen "Peg" (George) Netchey, Eloise "Ellie" (Cam) Moore, Gladstone; his sons, Kenneth "Mike" of Duluth, Minn., and John (Karen) Pickard of Gladstone; 10 grandchildren, Anya (Cory) Collard of Edgerton, Wis., Mikhail Netchey of Gladstone, Margaux (Justin) LaCrosse, Erie, Penn., Brian Moore, Baltimore, Md., Steven Moore, Houston, Texas, Beth (Ed Moos) Moore, Fallston, Md., Alex Paul Pickard attending Michigan State University in East Lansing, Elizabeth (Jim) Pietrzak of Sussex, Wis., Greg (Chanda) Clausen of Ensign, Sarah (Dean) Godfrey of Gladstone; eight great-grandchildren, Eiley Moos, Fallston, Md., Jimmy, Jesse and Olivia Pietrzak of Sussex, Wis., Jared and Victor Clausen of Ensign, Mich., Kayla, Lindsey and Lucas Godfrey of Gladstone; and many nieces and nephews. One sister, Marion (Jack) Griffin, Wauwatosa, Wis.; brother, Don (Marlene) Pickard, California; and sister-in-law, Lois Murker Thompson of Gladstone also survive. Ken was preceded in death by his brothers, Adrian "Buster" and Carlton "Bud," Arthur and sister, Madelyn (Russ) Beechler. Papa's sense of humor, stubborn disposition, infectious laugh, argumentative nature and ability to give each and every one a nickname will not EVER be forgotten. The soft spot in our hearts created by him will never be filled. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 9th and Dakota Avenue, Gladstone from 10-11:45 a.m. Elks memorial services will follow at 11:45. Mass celebrated by Bishop Rayford Ray will follow at noon. Military rites presented by Legion Post 71 rifle squad of Gladstone will take place at Fernwood Cemetery, Gladstone
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1924 - 2011 (87 years)
Genevieve Margaret Murker, b. 18 Jan 1922, Gladstone, Delta, MI