Peter Moline

For Peter (Pete) Moline, some of life’s greatest joys could be found in a garage filled with tools, an old car waiting to be brought back to life, or a backseat with his three kids on a long road trip south. He was the kind of man who could fix almost anything — sometimes with skill, sometimes with duct tape and silicone, and always with the reminder, “It’s not a piano.” Beneath his gruff charm was a loving husband, wonderful father and grandfather, loyal brother, and a man whose humor and heart left lasting impressions on everyone who knew him.

Growing up alongside his six siblings, Ron, Anna, Gloria, Rose, Vickie, and Doug, Pete remained deeply connected to his family throughout his life. Though opportunities were limited and money was often tight, those experiences shaped the resilience, loyalty, and down-to-earth spirit that carried Pete through life.

After graduating from high school, Pete joined the Army in search of greater opportunity and adventure. He served as a Maintenance Technician and was stationed in several areas, most notably Korea and Germany. While in Korea, fate stepped in at a small restaurant counter where Pete first saw the woman who would become the love of his life, Chong. She was working there when Pete walked in with his buddies, handsome as ever. Though her culture discouraged them from speaking, the two found ways to see each other anyway, sneaking moments together whenever they could. Before long, Pete asked her to marry him, beginning a love story that lasted more than 50 years.

Together they built a life centered around love and family. Pete was a proud father to Sharron, Heather, and Kim, and he brought his playful spirit into every part of parenting. He teased his kids endlessly, was silly, serious when needed and filled the house with dad jokes and nicknames for nearly everyone.

Pete especially loved passing down his mechanical knowledge to his son, Kim. Working side-by-side in the garage, Kim learned not only how to turn a wrench, but even fractions and measurements from watching his father work on engines and read instructions. Today, Kim carries on that legacy as an auto mechanic himself.

To his daughters, Pete offered support in his own quiet way. He listened to Sharron without judgment, encouraging her to find her own path in life, supporting her ideas no matter what. He also taught her how to improve things with his mechanical skills. With Heather, he spent evenings sitting together on the couch talking about God and the Bible, reflecting on faith and life, and was very proud of the life that she built for herself and two sons.

Pete loved restoring old cars, especially his Mustang and Firebird. He enjoyed bringing worn-out things back to life. He believed in repairing rather than replacing, a mindset that extended far beyond the garage.

Family vacations created some of the fondest memories for his children. The family packed into the backseat for long road trips to visit relatives in Florida and Alabama. There were beach days, family cookouts, amusement parks, and company picnics — events Pete always made special for his family, even if he stayed firmly off the roller coasters while happily watching his kids enjoy themselves.

Pete loved 1950s and 1960s music, adored his wife’s cooking, and never lost his sweet tooth. Though he could be a charmingly grumpy old man at times, his warmth, humor, and loving nature always shined through. He had a way of making people laugh, usually with one of his signature dad jokes.

Pete Moline of Allegan, age 74, died on May 9, 2026. He was born March 25, 1952 to Robert Jr. and Lucille (Morrison) Moline. Surviving are his wife, Chong; children: Sharron Moline, Heather Hubner, Kim (Nicole) Moline, and Peter Wyman; grandchildren: Elijah, Sunny, Gavin, Vance, Lilly, Troy, Kaden, Kolton, Peter Wyman Jr., and Ryan Wyman; siblings: Gloria Phillips, Rose Harrison, and Vicki Sinkler. He is preceded in death by his siblings: Ron Moline, Anna Plumley, and Doug Morrison.

Surround his loving wife, Chong, with your love and support and consider a memorial donation to her through GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/heather-dive-11may.

A private family gathering will be held. Celebrate Pete’s life online by sharing favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.