PeeWee (Allen Jays) Pearson

PeeWee was born Allen Jays Pearson on March 19, 1935, to Arthur and Dorothy Pearson of Aurora, Wis. That was the only day he ever “went by” Allen. Nurses dubbed him PeeWee in the maternity ward and it stuck…for his entire life. As his nurse at Bellin said on his last day in a hospital, “I will never hear the name PeeWee the same way again.” For those who knew him, his name was an anomaly for this strong man.

PeeWee loved cars. And he loved people. And he loved uniting them. He spent a long and storied (oh, the stories…) career selling cars in the Iron Mountain area, for Edwards Chevrolet. His career there spanned 50 years.

PeeWee had an exceptional memory…especially for cars and people. Mention someone he has not seen in 50 years and he could tell you a lot about them, including what car he sold them and some interesting aspect of the deal. His career became a big part of our family life.

After retiring, he went from four wheels to two and enjoyed riding his bicycle around town…every day…three one-hour trips. What other 83 year-old puts over 3,000 miles/year on his bicycle? It was a great way to see and connect with people. And a daily stop or two at B&B Tire was not to be missed.

PeeWee was such a compassionate man. He deeply cared for people.

PeeWee married the love of his life, Shirley (Davis) Pearson, in 1955. Together they built a wonderful life and were the anchor of their strong and loving family.

PeeWee is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Shirley; four daughters: Susan Mahony of Fish Creek, Wis., Sally (Dean) Heidtke of Iron Mountain, Pamela (Kurt) Bergstrom of Rhinelander, Wis., Paula (Jim Nelford) Allen of The Villages, Fla.; six grandchildren: Amanda (Brendan) O’Donnell of Midland, Ron (Amber) Perrington of Fon du Lac, Wis., Chase Perrington of Pensacola, Fla., David Nystrom of Appleton, Wis., Kelly (Mark) Truettner of Appleton, Wis., Erin Mahony of Phoenix; nine great-grandchildren; sisters-in law, Delores Pearson, Jean Ann Pearson, Barbara (Ernie Ostroski) Church, Nancy Chereskin, Claudette Davis, Karen (Roger) Beyer, Janet (Paul) Gude; brother-in-law, Gene (Debbie) Davis; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by sisters, Marcheta (Keta) Steebs, Dolores Landstrom, Yvonne LaTona; brothers, Arthur (Wayne) and Kent Pearson; son-in-law, Dan Mahony; and granddaughter, Hanna Bergstrom.

There will be a visitation at noon on Friday, July 20, at First Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain.

A service will be at 1 p.m.

Everyone is invited to a celebration of PeeWee’s life from 4 to 7 p.m. at PeeWee and Shirley’s home: 1421 W. Hughitt St. in Iron Mountain.

In lieu of flowers, you are encouraged to make a donation to the charity of your choice in honor of PeeWee.

Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.