Eugene J. “Joe” Pelchat, Jr., 64, of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, passed away
August 2, 2011, of complications from lung cancer. A memorial service will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m at the Community United Methodist Church in Sergeant Bluff with Rev. Deborah Stowers officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the US Air Force. Visitation, with family present, will be Sunday from 6 to 8:00 p.m. also at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to www.waterburyfuneralserviceinc.com.

Joe was born April 20, 1947, in North Hampton, Massachusetts, and his family moved to Sioux City later that year. He was a 1965 graduate of Central High School and he then served in the United States Air Force. He worked at McCracken Concrete Pipe Machinery Company for over 35 years, first as a member of the Engineering Department and then as a Regional Sales Manager. Joe was actively involved in the design and operation of the company’s line of pipe making machinery, and his work took him all over the United States.
Joe left the company in 2009 and was then employed by Ken Thompson of KTI, Inc., where he shared his knowledge of pipe making machinery with Ken’s plants in Texas, California, and Louisiana.
One of the great passions of Joe’s life was fishing, especially for walleye in the big reservoir lakes of South Dakota. He shared this passion with his wife, Dianna, and they spent many relaxing days on the water in Joe’s beloved Ranger fishing boat. He also exercised his fishing expertise on several Canadian fly-in fishing trips to Bull Moose Camp out of Red Lake, Ontario.
His family was very important to him, and he treasured his time with them.
Joe also greatly enjoyed Nebraska football, the Chicago Cubs, wine, and gourmet cooking.
His strength, courage, and positive attitude sustained him during his illness, and his faith was an inspiration to his family and friends. Constantly at his side were his two faithful canine companions, Fritz and Willie.
Joe is survived by Dianna, his wife of 16 years; father, Eugene Pelchat and his wife Barbara of Sioux City; brothers William (Bill) Pelchat and his wife Jeannie of Sioux City, and Timothy Snyder of Jacksonville, Florida; sisters Debra Vortherms and husband Dennis of LeMars, Iowa, and Barbara Hudelson and her husband Robert of Burbank, South Dakota. Joe is also survived by two sons, Christopher Pelchat and his wife Tracey of Johnson, Nebraska, and their children Mason, Allyson and Lauren; Troy Pelchat and his wife Shantelle of Sioux City and children Taylor, Dylan, Logan, and Alyssa; sister-in-law Vicki Nearman and her husband Craig of Elk Point, South Dakota; brother–in-law David Woodford and his wife Diane of Sergeant Bluff; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Pelchat Snyder.
In lieu of flowers, those desiring to express their sympathy may wish to consider a donation to the Sergeant Bluff Community United Methodist Church.