Andrew J. Pelak, Jr., age 74, Major General, USAF (Ret.), of O'Fallon, Ill., born August 7, 1946 in Newark, N.J., died suddenly on May 6, 2021.

Andy grew up near Newark, N.J., and attended East Orange High School where he was an accomplished athlete and scholar. He went on to play baseball and earn his B.A. in History from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. His Air Force career began in 1969 and spanned 31 years. During an early assignment at Scott AFB, he met and married his loving wife, Arlene. While serving in the military, he continued his education earning two master's degrees in addition to a post at the National War College. As part of his distinguished career as an officer, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, HQ Military Airlift Command, and Director of Military Personnel Policy at Air Force Headquarters, Pentagon. He was a proud American and a true patriot.

He retired in 2000 after commanding 81st Training Wing and Second Air Force at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, Miss. His distinguished awards include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Bronze Star. Since his military retirement, he found a niche as a ReMax real estate broker helping members of the community.

Outside of work, his family fondly remembers Andy restoring his beloved 1969 Mustang, tinkering at the family farm, rooting on the Cards and Yankees, spending time near the water, and spoiling his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew J. and Mary, nee Schwetz, Pelak Sr. and in-laws, William and Leona Malacarne.

He is survived by his wife Arlene, nee Malacarne, Pelak, of O'Fallon; daughters Shawn (David Parent) Pelak of Ann Arbor, Mich., Kelly Pelak of Lisle, Ill., and Colleen (Erik) Smith of Bentonville, Ark.; four grandchildren, Kaylin and Tyler Ditmars, William Parent, and Charlie Smith; sister Barbara Ann Pelak of Bloomfield, N.J.; sisters-in-law, Doris Malacarne of Quincy, Ill., and Connie (John) Wagner of San Diego, Calif.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are welcome to the USO of Missouri, East Side Heart & Home Family Center, Catholic Urban Programs, or Poor Clare Monastery.

The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Monday, May 10, 2021, and 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr., O'Fallon. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. with Msgr. William J. Hitpas officiating. Masks and social distancing protocols will be followed.