Peggy M LAYNE

26 JUL 1946 - 6 JAN 2018

• BIRTH: 26 JUL 1946, Florence, Alabama
• DEATH: 6 JAN 2018, Mishawaka, Indiana

INDEX

[N18477] Peggy M. Petko
July 26, 1946 - Jan. 06, 2018
MISHAWAKA - Peggy M Petko, 71, of Mishawaka passed away with her loving family by her side on January 6, 2018 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was the epitome of a fighter. She raised hell and brought smiles to our faces until the very end. Peggy was born in Florence, Alabama in 1946 to the late Julie Alice Gates and Glenn Lee Layne. She moved to Mishawaka, Indiana in 1951 and later married Myrth Ringen in 1963. Mryth passed away in a tragic car accident that same year. On April 1, 1969, Peggy met Emery S. Petko, and after a 8-day whirlwind courtship, they married on April 9, 1969, a union that lasted 35 years until Emery lost his battle with cancer in 2005. Peggy was fiercely dedicated to her family, friends, and she was passionate about her many volunteer activities. Peggy gave 33 years of her life to help thousands of young people in our community. She made many contributions to East End Little League, including starting the first girls softball program, helping design and building the first girls softball field which was later named Petko Field. Peggy coached softball and baseball, served on the board of directors at East End Little League and later was elected their first female president; she was a “Mom” to many of her “children” at East End. Peggy continued to serve by moving on to be the District Administrator of District 14 Little League overseeing its 11 leagues throughout northern Indiana and southern Michigan for over 25 years. She enjoyed participating in Relay For Life annually since 2002 as both a caregiver for Emery and as a four time breast cancer survivor. Cancer takes a lot away from a person, but it could never take Peggy's zest for life. She enjoyed playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, reading hundreds of books, playing dice games with her friends and family, taking shopping trips to find the best sales, staying social as a member of the Moose Lodge, and, as her health declined, basking in the sunlight from her kitchen table watching after the neighborhood. Peggy was preceded in death by her mother Julie Alice Gates, father Glenn Lee Layne, husbands Mryth Ringen and Emery S. Petko, sisters Rosemary Kuret, Thelma Lee Layne, and Estell Hancock, brothers Glenn Lee “Junior” Layne, and Laymond Layne. She is survived by her children James “Greg” (JoLinda) Petko, Stacy Reisdorf (Duane Casteel), sisters Dottie Koutoukis, grandchildren Tiffany Keyser, Thomas Petko, Samuel Petko, Matthew Reisdorf and Margaret Reisdorf, great-grandchildren Dayton, James, and Kiera. Peggy is also survived by her two kitty cat children Honey and Purdue; they will miss their nightly brushing and snuggles with their mom. Please join family and friends in a celebration of Peggy's life on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at Bubb Funeral Chapel, 3910 N. Main St., Mishawaka. The visitation will be from 10am-2pm, funeral services at 2pm with Pastor Mike Cramer as celebrant, and burial at Chapel Hill Memorial Garden to follow. Please stop by and retell the stories that Peggy can no longer share. We know she and Emery will be smiling right along with us. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to one of the following: The Center for Hospice Care: 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545 or The Emery S. Petko Memorial Scholarship Fund: account held at 1st Source Bank. This scholarship fund will continue to support the rich legacy both Emery and Peggy left for the Mishawaka High School softball community. We would also like to express our profound thanks and gratitude to Dr. Bilal Ansari and Renata Robertson of Michiana Hematology Oncology, Dr. Robert Hays and Susan Conn of University Park Medicine, and all the amazing caregivers at the Center for Hospice Care. Published in South Bend Tribune on Jan. 9, 2018
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