Sgt. Philip John Pekarske, of Jacksonville, NC, formerly of Fayetteville, GA, was called to a higher duty on April 27, 2011.
He was born on April 7, 1985 in Glendale Heights, IL. Philip was a loving and supportive husband, son, brother and friend. He was a 2003 graduate of Fayette County High School. He joined the United States Marine Corps on November 28, 2004. He was attached to the 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion and proudly served two tours in Iraq.
On November 11, 2006, Philip received the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal for superior performance of his duties in Iraq. He was a very dedicated and determined man. He spent his summers working with the Amigos for Christ program in Nicaragua. He had a huge heart and showed it in many ways.
Philip is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Anthony T. Smith and John Anthony Pekarske and Carlos Garcia.
He is survived by his wife Melanie Gribben Pekarske of Jacksonville, NC; parents John and Estella Pekarske of Jefferson GA; brother Adam Pekarske of Revere, MA; grandmothers Maria Smith of Good Thunder, MN and Eunice Pekarske of Manitowoc, WI; father-in-law and mother-in-law Earl and Cindy Gribben of Fayetteville, GA; sister-in-law Melissa Gribben; brother-in-law Tyler Gribben, both of Fayetteville, GA; numerous aunts uncles and cousins.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Catholic Church of St. Gabriel, with Father Jimmy Adams officiating. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Mowell Funeral Home, Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Philip’s honor to the Amigos For Christ Foundation, in care of Father Jimmy Adams at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 101 Walt Banks Road, Peachtree City, GA 30269.
Mowell Funeral Home, Fayetteville, GA www.mowellfuneralhome.com
