Michael Joseph Pethe

Michael (Mike) Joseph Pethe, age 76, of Toledo, passed away suddenly December 31, 2024, at Flower Hospital, Sylvania, OH. He was born April 8, 1948, at St. Vincent Hospital to George W. and Ellen (Eckert) Pethe. Mike grew up in the Toledo area and attended Central Catholic High School graduating in 1966.

After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in San Diego, CA. where he met the love of his life Betty. He served our country aboard the USS Okinawa during the Vietnam War. Mike and Betty (Waller) were married Aug. 8, 1969 in El Cajon, CA, where they remained until Dec. 1977, when they moved to Toledo, just in time for Toledo’s famous “Blizzard of Jan. 78”. Quite the change from sunny California.

Mike enjoyed working on, rebuilding, and riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles and cars. He also loved working on and driving Super Stock cars at the El Cajon Speedway in California. After moving to Toledo, Mike was a diesel mechanic for Roadway Express retiring in 2005. He was always an avid NASCAR fan, traveling with his best friend and brother-in-law Larry Waller wherever they could find racing.

He was a proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and loved spending time with his family and friends. Anyone that knew him knows he was always a jokester, if there was a joke or a prank to play he would always be behind it in some way & loved every minute of that teasing. Everyone will miss our joker greatly, none more than Betty, Mike’s loving, wife of 55 years.

Mike is survived by his wife, Betty (Waller); three children, Joseph (Carey) Pethe, Kari (Brian) Yaney, David (Wendy) Pethe; 11 grandchildren, Kirk (Emily Gurzynski) Lewandowski, Sarah (Jeremy Douglas) Lewandowski, Katherine (Steven) Phillips, Meredith Pethe, Breanna (Kody) Pratt, Connor Yaney, Sarah Yaney, Anna Hannafius, Devin (Ashley Marie) Hannafius, Michael (Dezaray) Hollingsworth, Stephen Hollingsworth; 15 great-grandchildren; along with two sisters, Anna Mae Mills and Carol (John) Rork. Mike was preceded in death by his father, George W. Pethe, mother, Ellen (Eckert) Pethe and brother, John W. Pethe.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Mike’s life on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

(with a brief Celebration Service at 1:30)

IRA Clubhouse, 9936 Frankfort Rd., Holland, OH 43528

Memorial Donations in Mike's honor can be made to: Flag City Honor Flight in honor of Mike Pethe, P.O. Box 885 Findlay, OH 45839 or

Ann Arbor VA Visual Impaired Veterans at VA Ann Arbor, 2215 Fuller Rd Ann Arbor, MI 48105 (Checks payable to VA Ann Arbor and include GPF Fund 4030 on the memo line).