Obituaries

Jeffrey J. Peplinski

Died September 28, 2014

SUTTONS BAY - Jeffrey John Peplinski, 35, of Suttons Bay passed away on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Jeff was born July 26, 1979 in Traverse City the son of Frederick J. Peplinski and Rhoda J. Johnson.

Jeff loved to talk about how he started working at the age of 14 and this developed into his strong work ethic. He worked at several local restaurants during his school years and this lead to a love of preparing food and enjoying the fruits of his labors. He was a very good cook and was at home in the kitchen preparing food for those he loved, family and close friends. He also spent some time in sales and working as a laborer.

Jeff was never afraid to take a chance and at the age of 20 he took a risk and moved to Hawaii where he spent the next five years, working at a local Outback and enjoying the beautiful state with its laid back culture, which suited Jeff perfectly. It was at this time he earned the nickname of “Spring Break,” because of the worry free way in which he lived his life. This also led to a chance meeting of Breanan Gale, his future fiancée.

There wasn’t much that Jeff enjoyed more than watching his favorite football team, University of Michigan play and could often be heard cheering them on at the top of his lungs. He also enjoyed the Detroit Tigers and Lions and many other sporting events. Jeff was known to put out a friendly wager with anyone willing to take him on.

Jeff also enjoyed family and friends, euchre and poker games. He became known as party planner extraordinaire and had an open house policy where everyone was encouraged to stop by where they enjoyed his quick wit, great sense of humor and no worries attitude, putting everyone at ease. He was the life of the party, always on “Spring Break” with a smile and infectious personality that lit up the room.

Jeff had a competitive nature and he loved to golf, hunt and fish and enjoyed hearing and telling all the stories that go with it. In high school, he quarterbacked Suttons Bay High School to the school’s 100th victory.

Family meant a lot to Jeff and he loved every one of them. Three years ago another one came along and stole his heart. Jeff adores Makena Sky, his daughter, and Breanan, his fiancée, whom he referred to as “his girls” and will be watching over them from afar. He touched many people in his life, as he has touched ours and will be remembered forever. He would wish us all “no worries” and would tell us, as his teacher, Miss Venie, once told him to, “make it look good.”

Jeff is survived by his parents, Fred and Rhoda; his daughter, Makena Sky Peplinski; his fiancée, Breanan Gale; his siblings, Kelli (Shawn) Busby and their son Evan Busby, Jessica Peplinski and a vast number of loving family members.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 with the Rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay. The mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 at St. Michael’s Church of Suttons Bay. Burial will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery. Father Leonard Paul will serve as celebrant.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Makena Peplinski Fund, PO Box 159, Suttons Bay, MI, 49682 and/or Mass Intentions.