Oliver Peter Smelcer Jr.

Oliver Peter (Pete) Smelcer, Jr. died December 15, 2011 at his home in Burney, CA after a long illness.

Graveside services were held December 20, 2011 at the Adin, CA Cemetery with Reverend Jeff Bidwell of Grace Bible Church officiating.

Pete was born September 13, 1924 in Adin to O. P. and Imogene Smelcer. He graduated from Adin High School in 1942 and subsequently served in World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations from 1943-1945 as both a platoon leader and staff sergeant in the US Army’s 132nd Infantry Regiment, Americal Division. Pete’s numerous military decorations include three Purple Heart medals and three Bronze Star medals.

Pete married Beulah Criss, a native of Lookout, on August 31, 1946. They made their home in Adin, where Pete owned the Chevron Station and later worked at the Adin mill until he moved to Sacramento in 1970.

On January 3, 1970, Pete married Hollyce Nelson in Reno, NV. After living and working in Sacramento for twenty years, where Pete was a mechanic specializing in forklift repair, he and Holly retired and moved back to Adin in 1990, and then to Burney in 1996. When Holly became ill in 2005, Pete took loving care of her until her death in 2009.

Pete was an avid car racing fan, and he spent countless hours researching and writing about his family history with his sister, Margaret Vanderlaan. Pete was also proud of his World War II service, attending many reunions of his 1st Platoon, Company I in Chicago. He was always eager to share stories of his service in the Solomon Islands and in the Philippines, and he created detailed scrapbooks documenting specific battles and showcasing his platoon reunions.

Pete is survived by children Sharon McCulley of Burney, Gary Smelcer of Anderson, John Smelcer of Palo Cedro, and Annette Convy of Seattle, WA, and by stepsons Vincent Nelson of Susanville and Glenn Nelson of Redding. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and his sisters Alice Criss and Margaret Vanderlaan. Pete’s wife, Holly, preceded him in death on July 4, 2009.

Donations may be sent to the Fort Crook Historical Society and/or to Intermountain Hospice, both located in Fall River Mills, CA.

Arrangements under the direction of McDonald's Chapel, Burney, CA.