Graveside service for Peter Paul “Pete” Waselus, 90, of Garrison, TX, will be held at 2:30 PM, Sunday, June 12, 2011, in Caledonia Cemetery, Garrison, with Bro. Gary Nolan officiating. Mr. Waselus passed away June 9, 2011, in Garrison.
Born July 30, 1920, in Iowa, Peter Waselus was the son of the late Matthew and Mary (Mathias) Waselus. His family subsequently moved to Oklahoma where he grew up. During the Great Depression, Peter left Oklahoma for California. After lying about his age, Peter enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 16 and served as a Boatswain’s Mate on a Destroyer in the Pacific during World War II. After the war he returned to San Diego and became a building inspector for the City of San Diego, even inspecting Sea World as it was being constructed. During the time he worked for the City of San Diego, he attend college classes at night studying engineering and taking classes to help him better his “trade”. He loved to build houses and constructed lots of condominium complexes and apartment buildings as well as custom homes over his lifetime. In his later years he spent a lot of time remodeling the Caledonia Methodist Church where he attended.
After moving to the Caledonia Community in Rusk County, TX, Peter met Verlene (Stone) Keating. A three week courtship ended with their marriage on April 1, 1977. Favorite pastimes for Peter were fishing, keeping up with current news events and playing the piano.
Survivors include his wife Verlene (Stone) Waselus of Garrison; daughter Susan K. Nolan and husband Gary of Garrison; son Glenn Farris and wife Ruby of Longview; brother Robert Brown and wife Joan of Spiro, OK; 3 sisters: Rose Creech of Ashland, Kentucky, Gloria Hooper and husband Perry of Santee, CA, and sister Ruth Burke and husband Jim of Tulsa, OK; 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Peter Waselus was preceded in death by 2 brothers and 1 sister.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. To convey condolences or to register online, please visit www.taylorfh.net. Taylor Funeral Home, 511 Ross Graves Dr., Timpson, TX 75975, is in charge of arrangements.
