

Anna Maria Dr.
Columbus, Indiana
Some people just can’t sit still, always striving for something greater; something bigger and no one was more driven than veneer industrialist, Luke Pinsonneault. Luke was born in St. Joachim, Ontario on September 24, 1933, in the midst of the Great Depression, to Sylvio and Anna (Janisse) Pinsonneault. In 1954, without a penny to his name, he married his wife, Betty Parent, on November 13th, 1954 in Belle River, Ontario, Canada, and three children soon followed. The young family lived in various places as Luke’s career grew, including Vermont, New York, and eventually settling in Columbus, Indiana.
Luke wasn’t afraid to take chances; a great quality he passed down to his kids and grandkids. In 1983, Luke tackled his greatest feat, creating Keystone Veneers Inc. in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, with his son and partner, Dan. Under their guise, Keystone Veneers grew to become the third largest veneer mill in North America.
Luke loved life. Upon retiring, Luke and Betty enjoyed traveling, snowmobiling, yachting, and motorcoaching. He was an active member of the Antique Car Club of Montoursville, PA, and a previous officer of the Flamingo Yacht Club in Aventura, FL. Always a kid at heart, his practical jokes and tall tales continue to be an endearing quality his loved ones will cherish. Luke was a great family man. When a good friend is hard to find, he was always there to lend a helpful ear.
With a last name that literally means “Push Forward,” Luke lived everyday with no regrets. A great optimist, Luke’s uncanny positivity was legendary. His favorite quote was tried and true, “Tomorrow’s another day.”
Luke is survived by his wife, Betty (Elizabeth) Pinsonneault, Columbus; children, Elaine (Kim) DeClue, Columbus, Dan (Karen) Pinsonneault, Williamsport PA, and Cathy (Gerry) Schooler, Columbus; brothers, Felix (Pauline) Pinsonneault, St. Joachim, Canada, and Gerry (Marilyn) Pinsonneault, Tecumseh, Canada; a sister, Annette Donnelly, Edmonton, Canada; grandchildren, Kelly (Trevor) Glick, Isaac (Kelsey) DeClue, Meg Pinsonneault, Mac DeClue, Morgan Pinsonneault, Lukas Schooler, and Courtney Schooler; two great-grandchildren, Sophie & Ethan Glick. Luke will be missed by his dog and constant companion Sammy. Luke was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvio & Anna Pinsonneault, and a brother, Adrian Pinsonneault.
Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Columbus IN, by Fr. Mike Parent, Fr. Clem Davis and Fr. Joseph McNally. In keeping with Luke’s wishes, cremation is planned. Calling hours will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. and from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday at Myers-Reed Chapel, Columbus. Online condolences may be submitted to the family at www.myers-reed.com.
Luke’s family request in lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the American Cancer Society, Hospice of South Central Indiana or C.A.R.E. (Community Animal Rescue Effort).
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