Peter Leo DeSmet, 78, of Milan, passed away Sunday, November 12, 2017 at his home on Big Island.  A funeral service for Peter will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 201 4 ^th Ave. E, Milan.  Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.  Private inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in care of the Parkinson's Association or UnityPoint Hospice.

Peter was born on April 19, 1939 in Moline, a son of Peter D. and Julia Yaowich DeSmet.  He married Mary L. Martens on September 26, 1959 in Rock Island.  Mary died May 11, 2014.  Peter worked as a welder for almost 20 years at the former International Harvester plant in East Moline.  In his spare time, Peter greatly enjoyed golfing, playing darts and hunting.  He had was an avid outdoorsman, had a love for animals and raised dogs.  Peter also enjoyed working on cars, woodworking and he was very proud of the fact that he built his own home; twice.

Left to cherish his memory are his brothers, Tony (Janet) DeSmet, Broken Arrow, OK; Donald (Nancy) DeSmet, Overland Park, KS; brother in law, Sam Dusenberry; many nieces, nephews, other loving family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; 2 sisters, Sharon Dusenberry, Carol Knoeferl and step father, Howard Sharp