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Peter Valentino DeRossi

Peter Valentino DeRossi

MERRIMAN — Peter Valentino DeRossi, 97, of Merriman, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 18, 2017, at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center as a result of living a long useful life.

He was born to Emilio DeRossi and Helen (Zaupa) DeRossi on Oct. 31, 1919, in Crystal Falls.

At age 13, he moved with his parents and sisters to Merriman for the start of a new farm that today is the United Sportsman’s Club property. At age 18, he was part of a WPA crew that brushed the hill for the Pine Mountain Ski Jump.

On Feb. 10, 1942, he entered the U.S. Army. Providentially, it was the same day that his future wife, Joan Helen Black, of London, England, entered the Royal Air Force, a fact they discovered many years later.

Val DeRossi proudly served in Patton’s 4th Armored Division whose nickname was “Name Enough” to signify the valor and impact this division had to bring an end to World War II in Europe. He saw action at the Battle of the Bulge and was later shot off a tank by an enemy aircraft near Bad Kreuznach, Germany. He convalesced in England and was on his way back to his unit when the war ended in Europe.

Val and Joan were married in London on Sept. 12, 1945. After his return to Iron Mountain, she was able to follow the next year. On Jan. 29, 1948, they had a son, Peter Edward.

Val started his work career at the Ford plant in Kingsford and also farmed. In 1952 he began working at the VA Hospital, retiring 32 years later.

In 1957, Val acquired his own property and in 1962 started a potato farm, which he worked for several years. Once he stopped farming, he began working for Smith’s Castings in Kingsford while still working at the VA Hospital.

He finally retired from Smith’s Castings at age 79 and went on to enjoy 18 years of full retirement. Besides gardening, he enjoyed belonging to a radio controlled airplane club, and attending many veterans activities.

His military honors included a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star and a diploma, dated July 4, 2001, from the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of France for his service in the French liberation.

Val DeRossi is survived by his son, Peter (Donnette) of Green Bay, Wis., and their two daughters: Andra Siedsma of Green Bay, and her son, Noah of Oshkosh, Wis.; and Megan (Troy) Meissner of Pembine, Wis., and their children, Elena, Caleb, Rachel, Autumn, Greta and Peter; and his nieces and nephews. He is also survived by many wonderful friends and neighbors, whom he loved to spend time with.

He is predeceased by his parents; his wife; sisters, Edith (Gemo) Anderson and Inez Osterberg; and his wife’s siblings.

Val was a generous man who supported many organizations, including Lake Lundgren Bible Camp, 4-H, veterans’ organizations and services for under-privileged children. He was a regular attendee of First Covenant Church for the past 25 years.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 23, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the First Covenant Church at 125 East H St. in Iron Mountain.

The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Rev. Peter Erickson will officiate.

Burial will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery. The American Legion Post 50 will accord full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in his memory.

Val’s family wishes to sincerely thank the VA Hospital staff, the Dickinson Home Health nursing staff, and the Dickinson County Memorial Hospital, for the wonderful care of Valentino in his final days.

Condolences to the family of Valentino P. DeRossi may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home and Cremation Services with the arrangements.