Peter D. “Pete” Trone
Peter D. “Pete” Trone
Peter D. Trone of Culver, Indiana passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, at the age of 86.
Peter was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on Oct. 27, 1929, the son of Donaldson and Almeda (Daum) Trone. He graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis and attended Butler University and Rollins College in Florida. During the summers between 1946 and 1948 he attended Culver Military Academy Naval School, where he graduated as Midshipman Regimental Commander.
Pete was a Woodcraft Counselor and Instructor between 1949 and 1951. In 1951 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent time in Germany until 1953. Upon his return from Germany, Pete worked in the family business, The Don Trone Shop. He continued his involvement at the Academy in 1953 and became Assistant Camp Director and Admissions Officer from 1962 to 1968 and Woodcraft Camp Director and Admissions Officer from 1969 to 1977. Continuing on staff during the summer, in 1960 Pete was also appointed Director of the General Census for the 3rd Congressional District by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The Trones met when Bradd and his mother came to Culver to investigate Bradd’s enrollment in Woodcraft Camp at the Academy in 1972. Pete and Bev were married in 1974 in the Culver Memorial Chapel.
Pete has been involved in civic affairs for many years, serving as president of the Lake Association and on the Board of Zoning Appeals for 34 years. He also served on the Chamber of Commerce, Culver Plan Commission, Culver-Union Township LibraryBoard, president of the Marshall County Historical Society, East Shore Lane Association, Board of Antiquarian and Historical Society.
In 2004 the Culver Lions honored Pete as Citizen of the Year. In the many organizations he was involved with, his sense of good judgment and fairness was utilized and appreciated.
Trone’s love of sailing kept him very involved on Lake Maxinkuckee, where he was president of the Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Council in 1995 and member of the Maxinkuckee Yacht Club since 1946, serving as Commodore in 1970. Pete said Lake Maxinkuckee was the prettiest lake in the state.
For 28 years Pete was a member of the St. Joseph Valley Football Officials Association and had the honor of officiating in the state playoffs in 1973.
The Trones were long time members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church where Pete served as president of the Council for several years.
In retirement years Pete has enjoyed going to Bass Lake with the ROMEO group (Retired Old Men Eating Out) for lunch and conversation. What happens at Bass Lake stays at Bass Lake!
Pete is survived by his wife Beverly (Knittle Geariety), stepson Bradd J. (Lyn) Geariety of Tallahassee, Florida, and grandson James Paul Geariety. He is also survived by brother-in-law Richard J. (Norma) Knittle of Midland, Texas, cousin Ann (Jeff) Blodgett of Jacksonville, Florida, and several nieces and nephews.
A time of visitation will be held at the Odom Funeral Home, Culver, on Friday, Oct. 28, from 4-7 p.m. Rev. Jeff Zell will officiate funeral services at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 11 a.m. with one hour visitation prior to service. Interment will be in Washington Cemetery, Culver.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Gloria Dei Church Building Fund, 225 East Haney Ave., South Bend, Ind. 46613-2499 or to Marshall County Historical Society, 123 North Michigan St., Plymouth, Ind. 46563 or a charity of donor’s choice.
