James “Pete” Wickey, age 91, a resident of Plymouth, Ind. passed away at 1:20 a.m. on Sept. 3, 2017 in Pilgrim Manor Nursing Home.

Pete was born in LaPorte, Indiana on Nov. 9, 1925 to Peter Wickey and Grace Deveny Wickey. Pete entered into a loving marriage with Rosalie Short on June 9, 1972. She died on May 17, 2000. He was a United States Navy Veteran having served in World War II in the South Pacific.

Survivors include his daughter, Jill and Mark Engle of South Bend, Ind.; sons: David Wickey of Tamarack, Fla., and Tom “Bomber” and Juanita Wickey of Kentwood, Mich. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Proceeding him in death were his parents Pete and Grace, his wife Rosalie, daughter Jennifer, sons, Phillip and Greg,  grandsons, Timothy,  James and Andrew Hochstetler and sister, Margaret Gilley.

Pete graduated from St. Michaels Academy in 1940. At St. Michaels he was an altar boy and also sang in the Brother Andre Choir.  Pete attended Lincoln High School in Plymouth graduating in 1944. He lettered in football and track. He was the Captain of the track team his senior year. In 1952 he graduated from Franklin College. During his four years lettered on the baseball team and was elected Captain of the baseball team his Freshman year. His senior year he hit 474 and was scouted by several teams. He was scouted by and tried out with the Chicago Cubs in 1947 and the St, Louis Browns with whom he signed a professional baseball contract. He is best known in and around Plymouth for his love of baseball.  After graduation Pete joined Farm Bureau Insurance as a claims adjuster and was in their employ 37 years in northern Indiana. He was president of the South Bend Adjusters Association and started the directory for that organization as well as being president of the State Adjusters Association. After retirement from Farm Bureau in 1989 he went to work part time for St. Joseph County as an insurance investigator. Pete is also a member of the St. Michaels Catholic Church and was a Eucharist Minister visiting nursing home and shut in’s. Pete, as he liked to be called played baseball and fast pitch softball. His love of baseball and the Cubs, Notre Dame and Chicago Bears was well known. He was also a “Big Red Booster”. He served on the Plymouth Parks Board for eight years and was president for 1 year. Other memberships include: Plymouth Booster Club, VFW 1162, Moose Lodge 741, American Legion and Phi Delta Kappa.

The Van Gilder Funeral Home is caring for the Wickey family. The family will receive friends on Thursday, Sept. 7, from 4  p.m. to 8 p.m. in Van Gilder Funeral Home, 300 W. Madison St., Plymouth. with Rosary prayed at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be on Friday, Sept. 8, at 11 a.m. in St. Michael Catholic Church, 611 N. Center St. Plymouth, with Father William Kummer officiating. Burial will follow in St. Michaels Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made in his memory to: Timothy Hochstetler Scholarship Fund c/o Marshall County Community Foundationor Marshall Co. Hospice and Palliative Care 112 S. Center St. Suite C Plymouth, Ind. 46563

Van Gilder Funeral Home is privileged to be entrusted in arranging the services. Condolences may be left at www.vangilderfuneralhome.com.