Pete P. Gallia

Pete P. Gallia, age 95, of Penelope, passed away Wednesday afternoon, June 7, 2017 at William R. Courtney Texas State Veterans Home in Temple. A rosary will be recited 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel, followed by visitation until 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 12, 2017 at the Church of the Nativity B.V.M. in Penelope, with Deacon Denver Crawley officiating. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in West, conducted by the West Veterans Honor Guard. Pete was born June 24, 1921 in Penelope, the son of John and Mary (Pustka) Gallia. He attended schools in Penelope. Pete served his country with the United States Coast Guard during World War II on the USS Joyce Destroyer Escort in the North Atlantic. Upon his return, he was united in marriage to Katherine Matula on February 19, 1948 in Penelope. Katherine preceded him in death on October 29, 2001. Pete operated the family farm and ranch his whole life. He was a lifelong and faithful member of the Church of the Nativity B.V.M. in Penelope. Pete was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4819, RVOS Lodge #49, SPJST Lodge #66 and served on the Birome Water Supply and Penelope ISD Boards. He enjoyed working on the farm, raising his cattle and visiting with family and friends. Pete is also preceded in death by his parents; a daughter-in-law, Judi Gallia; brothers Joe, Louis and John Gallia; and sisters, Cecelia Goodman, Frances Tallas and Mary Gallia. Survivors include his sons, Pete J. Gallia and wife Regina of Temple and Theodore "Teddy" Gallia of Penelope; grandchildren, Ted Gallia, Phillip Gallia and wife Jordan, Jackie Chamberlain and husband David, Brad Gallia, Brandy Gallia, Lindsey Gallia and John Gallia; seven great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are John Gallia, Ted Gallia, Phillip Gallia, Albert Rejcek, Aaron Barak and David Holub. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to West Volunteer Ambulance Association or Penelope Volunteer Fire Department.