PSG (Ret) Orville "Mike" Pentico

Orville “Mike” Pentico, son of the late Orville and Nina E. (Buffett) Pentico, was born November 2, 1930 in Lansing, Michigan. He went home to be with his Lord Tuesday, November 1, 2016 in the Missouri State Veterans Home of St. Louis, Missouri having attained the age of 85 years. As a young boy, Mike, as he was known to his family and friends, grew up in Angola, Indiana and graduated from Angola High School in 1950. While in high school, Mike joined the National Guard and served for 5 years before joining the United States Army. Mike served in the United States Army for 27 years and retired in 1975 having attained the rank of Platoon Sergeant. He earned several awards and commendations; some of which include: National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), Army Commendation Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Silver Service Star, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation. While serving in the military, Mike was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia and met the love of his life, Patricia Ellen Slaughter. They were united in marriage on August 28, 1968 at Fort Benning. They shared many wonderful memories together before she passed away June 14, 2012. Shortly after retiring from the military, Mike went to work for Crocker High School as a maintenance supervisor. He was with the school from 1976 to 1991. In his spare time, Mike enjoyed working in his workshop and going fishing. He also was an avid mystery book reader and loved watching cowboy movies. Mike was a lifetime member of the Harry Heron Disabled American Veterans Post. Mike had made a profession of faith and was a member of The River church of Waynesville. Mike leaves to cherish his memory his four children: Karin (Thomas) Roberts of Crocker, MO, Kevin Pentico of Wichita, KS, Kelly (Sandra) Howell of Fayetteville, NC, and Russell Thomas of Independence, MO; one brother: James Pentico of Hamilton, IN; nine grandchildren: Christian and Cameron Roberts, Hailey and Seth Thomas, Kelsey Clark, Shawn Cathey, Ryan Pentico, Chasity Barnes and Daniel Barham; seven great grandchildren; other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents and wife, Mike was preceded in death by two daughters: Ladon Tart and Kathy Caffey. Services were held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 7, 2016 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert with Pastor Howie Malone and Chaplain Kevin Banks officiating. The songs “See You Again” by Carrie Underwood, “How Great Thou Art” by Carrie Underwood & Vince Gill and “Go Rest High on that Mountain” by Vince Gill were played. Serving as escorts were Kelly Howell, Steven Howell, Kevin Pentico, Austin Roberts, Cameron Roberts, Christian Roberts and Russ Thomas. Burial with military honors followed in the Sunset Memorial Estates Cemetery of Waynesville, Missouri. Military honors were provided by the United States Army of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

PSG (Ret) Orville "Mike" Pentico

November 2, 1930 - November 1, 2016