Obituary of Andrew James Pentercs

Andrew James Pentercs was born at home in Dundee, Michigan on April 21, 1940. He was one of ten children born to Stephen and Anna Theresa (Tackus) Pentercs. On January 10, 1959 at London United Methodist Church, Andy wed the love of his life, the former Carol Snell, whom he had met in the fifth grade. A hard worker, Andy was employed on the assembly line at Tecumseh Products for thirty years before retiring in 2001. Prior to his years at the Products, he worked several construction-based jobs, often working multiple at a time. Notably, he took great pride in his involvement in installing sewer lines throughout Michigan from Mackinaw City through many areas of the Upper Peninsula and throughout the western side of the state.

Andy was an avid outdoorsman and an early member of the Dundee Sportsman’s Club. He spent many seasons hunting turkey and deer throughout both peninsulas of Michigan, as well as many trips out to his nephew’s farm on Dixon Rd in Dundee. The Pentercs family also enjoyed many adventures in their camper trailer until Andy won a cash prize in a church raffle and purchased their cabin in Ocqueoc, Michigan.  Trips to the cabin created many lasting memories for his kids and grandkids over the years.  They all enjoyed hunting, fishing, swimming, and building bonfires that were taller than the roof of that cabin on their many trips north.

Andy traveled all over on his outdoor adventures including Canada, Wisconsin, and Tennessee.  Though often he had Carol or the grandkids in tow, he once took a memorable hunting trip to Texas alongside his son in-law, Randy. He flew his prized antlers from that trip back home sitting on his lap in first class!

Andy was a lumberjack at heart, taking down many trees to fuel his huge bonfires. His frequent excursions into the woods made him an expert at identifying tree and fungus species. He had a keen eye for finding edible mushrooms and wild asparagus.

A doting grandfather, he loved attending his grandkid’s athletic events. Andy also loved the holidays, always ensuring a magical experience for the children and grandchildren. Together, Carol and Andy would help the grandkids dye over ten dozen eggs every Easter and never missed handing out candy on Halloween. Andy loved all kids and some of them even called him ‘M&M Andy’ because he often carried a pack in his shirt pocket to give them as a treat. The grandchildren and neighborhood kids spent many winter days sledding on the hill behind Carol and Andy’s Dundee home. Andy was also famous for his pancakes that were akin to Hungarian palacsinta.  He would make the pancakes bigger than a dinner plate and joke that it was because he was only making you one.

Andy was always tinkering with something.  He was an engineer of sorts. He liked to work with his hands and come up with new inventions to solve any problem that came his way.  Whether it was an extender so he could haul twelve-foot sheets of plywood or the latest and greatest perch fishing harness, as he would often say, a blind man would pay $100 to see it.

Andrew James Pentercs, age 82, of Dundee, Michigan passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home on Monday; April 10, 2023. His passing was preceded by his parents; his beloved wife of sixty-two years: Carol Pentercs in 2021; and nine siblings: infant Mary Anna Penterics, Ethel Penterics, Elizabeth Brososky, Julius Penteres, Stephen Penterics Jr, William “Bill” Pentercs, Frank Penterics, John Penterics, and Joseph Penterics.  

Left to cherish his memory are two daughters: Debbra Jean (Charles) Irwin and Lynn (Randall) Breeding; five grandchildren: James (Emily) Irwin, Andrea (Roy) Hickey, Sara (Brian) Whipple, Dwayne (Katie) Breeding, and Amanda (Andrew) Edelbrock; eleven great grandchildren: Patrick (Alyssa), Jay, Wyatt, Mason, Adam, Lucas, Brodie, Julia, Abigail and Elaina; two sisters in-law: Mary (Delbert) Wayne and Jo Pentercs; and many nieces and nephews.

Andrew will lie in state from 10:00am until a Worship Service Celebrating His Life at 11:00am on Thursday; April 13, 2023 at Dundee United Methodist Church; 645 Franklin Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131.   Procession will follow to London Township Cemetery in Milan, Michigan for inurnment. Andrew’s care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156. Cremation has taken place through the on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dundee United Methodist Church. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.