Peter William Sonke, Jr, born Sep 11, 1937 in Grand Rapids, MI. After school, Peter went to work at Van’s Pastry where he met Sally Hendricks. They married in 1957 and adopted two daughters. Peter and Sally owned and operated a business called Around the World (imported glassware from various countries) and later bought and ran Almost Antiques (reproduction furniture) in Rockford until his wife’s health failed. Peter loved fishing and was an avid golfer. You would think that the highlight of his golfing would be hitting a hole in one on the 4th of July but it wasn’t. After working at Van’s Pastry (for seven years) he went to work for Grand Rapids Foam Rubber Co for 37 years. Every year, they would take a group of customers on a golf outing and we were the Firestone Foam Distribution Team. The highlight was playing at Firestone Country Club from Akron, OH. After his first wife passed away in 1992, Peter was single for eight years until he found another young lady, Dorothy (McConchie) Dougherty, and married her in 2000. He was welcomed into her wonderful family. This union turned into nine children, 23 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
Preceded in death by his parents, Peter Sr and Anna Sonke; brother, Garrett (Erma Jean) Sonke; sister, Lorraine (George) Crowley; first wife, Sally (Hendricks) Sonke; son in law, John McGarry. Survived by his loving wife, Dorothy (Dougherty) Sonke; children, Laurie Lundberg, Kara (Scott) Conn, Deb (Tom) Bullen, Lewis Dougherty Jr, Jodie (Otto) Brannum, Lisa (Rex) Wright, Michelle McGarry, Terri Hommerson, Brenda (Randy) Eastbrook; 23 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren; favorite nephew, George Crowley and a number of friends. Memorial service will be held at 11 am Fri, Jul 11, 2014 at Cook memorial Chapel (East Building) 4235 Prairie St SW Grandville, MI with visitation one hour prior. Pastor Allen Ender will be officiating. Interment will be at Rosedale Memorial Park. In honor of Peter, contributions may be made to American Cancer Society.