Joseph "Pete" Schopieray

Joseph Norman “Pete” Schopieray, 94, passed away peacefully with family close beside him on January 26, 2025.

Pete was born November 7th, 1930, in Maple City to William and Hattie (Levenski) Schopieray. He moved to Traverse City while still a boy. In 1955 he married his childhood sweetheart Alice Ann Nelson; they grew up across the street from one another. They had two beloved daughters, JoAnne and Susan.

Pete honorably served in the US Air Force from 1951-55, including deployment during the Korean War. Returning to Traverse City, he briefly owned a gas station before going to work for the Grand Traverse County Road Commission in 1959, retiring after 30 years. Following retirement, Pete and Alice Ann wintered in Orange Beach, Alabama. During the remainder of the year they lived in their dream home, a cottage on Lake Leelanau, where they hosted many gatherings of family and friends.

Pete and Alice Ann always enjoyed traveling, including camping trips with their grandchildren. At gatherings he was the one behind the grill, making sure everyone felt welcome and well-fed. He enjoyed snowmobiling, bowling, and golfing, and possessed a quiet and peaceful personal strength. Quick to laugh, he often played poker with the family at gatherings, betting nickles and dimes.

He is survived by his daughters JoAnne (Kim) Couturier and Susan (Bob) Barnett, grandsons Matt (Carol) Couturier, Scott J. Couturier, Kellen and Robert Barnett, great-grandchildren Allen and Sean Couturier, sister-in-law Abbie J. Nelson, brothers Leonard (Mary) Endres, Larry (Sandy) Endres, sister Barb Richards, and sisters-in-law Karen Endres and Pauline Schopieray, alongside many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister, grandson Andrew Barnett, brothers Ronald Endres, Edmund Schopieray, Donald Schopieray, brother-in-law Lloyd Richards, and sister-in-law Rita Schopieray.

The family would like to thank Culver Meadows Senior Living for their loving care of our father, grandfather, brother during the last six years.

Pete will be sorely missed by all who were blessed to know him. An informal gathering celebrating the lives of Pete and Alice Ann will be held 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Life Story Funeral Home on Friday, April 25, 2025. A brief sharing of stories will start at 3:00 pm and conclude with the reciting of the Rosary.

Private burial will take place later at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and more on both Pete and Alice’s webpage.