Theodore Palecki

Theodore Palecki, age 99, passed away on September 15, 2025. Ted was born in Hamtramck, Michigan on April 21, 1926, to Frank & Grace Palecki. Growing up during the Depression, like many young men of his generation, he left school after the 9th grade to go to work.

He spent a few years working for William Burke Furniture learning woodworking. As soon as he was old enough, just after he turned 17, Ted enlisted in the Navy. He proudly served his country during WWII.

After his honorable discharge, Ted settled in Grand Rapids and took a job opportunity at Kelvinator. His working career would take him to Bulman Products and then onto Bissell Corp. where he worked as a press operator until his retirement.

Ted met his first wife, Dorothy, at a dance. It didn’t take long for the couple to fall in love, and they were soon married. They cherished their years together until Dorothy’s death in 1995. His second wife, Delores, was someone Ted already knew. With their spouses, they played cards together for years. By supporting each other their grief, they found not just companionship, but love.

Ted was generally a quiet guy unless his favorite team, the Detroit Lions, was playing. He was a avid fan and loved the action of football.

The quiet and kind, Ted, will be remembered for his welcoming smile and big heart. He was parental figure to many and loved by all who knew him.

Besides his wives, Ted was preceded in death by his son; Craig Palecki; his stepdaughter Marcia Gould; his great-grandchildren: Terry Geddry and Conner Geddry; his sister Lorraine (Palecki) Zydowicz and his nephew Jack L. Palecki.

He is survived by his stepchildren: Jack (Anita) Tiethof (Anita), Dan (Sue) Melpolder, Don (Tammy) Melpolder and Susan Melpolder; his grandchildren: Alex Tiethof , Angela Tiethof , Adrian (Dasha) Aronson, Leah (Austin) Lynch, Sean Kelley, Kathleen Heyrman, Michael (Amy) Kelley, Lucia (Richard) Geddry, Ryan (Jody) Kelley, Angela Melpolder, Michelle (Mike) Schoonmaker, Heather (Bill) Hannay, Sallie (John) Wieczorek, Becca Reynolds, Kenny Melpolder and Laura Sanchez; his great-grandchildren: Alaric Aronson, Morgan (Daniel) Anya, Aaron Kelley, Cassie Tebear, Megan Kelley, Jacob (Jael) Kelley,

Joe (Anna) Kelley, Shannon (Mitch) Dickinson, Casie Geddry, Christopher Geddry, Reid (Aubri) Kelley, Bryce (Rachel) Kelley, Ty Kelley, Hayden Hannay, Jaden Melpolder, Chastin Reynolds, Aliviah Reynolds, Scarlett Reynolds, Reyna Sanchez and Cameron Sanchez; and his great-great grandchildren: Luca Anya, Jude Anya, Ava Tebear, Norah Tebear, Adeline Dickinson, James Dickinson, Owen Kelley and Palmer Kelley.