Loyal “Pete” Anderson Jr., age 76, of Sylvania, Ohio, passed away at home on April 9, 2025, after an extended, ten-year battle with cancer.
He was born on Jan. 27, 1949, in Des Moines, to Loyal and Dorothy Anderson. Shortly after birth, he returned to the hospital for hernia surgery. His father’s friend, Pete, was in the hospital for the same procedure at the same time leading to Loyal Jr. being called “Pete” from that point forward.
Pete graduated from Lincoln High School in 1967. Immediately following graduation, he went to work in the steel industry where he would spend the next 33 years in positions of increasing responsibility, eventually serving as the general manager of North Star Steel in both Wilton, Iowa, and Monroe, Mich., before joining Slater Steel and becoming the vice president of operations until his retirement in 2001.
Pete was known for his love of baseball, his commitment to coaching his children’s teams whenever possible, and his boisterous support of his children (along with any needed correction for the umpires or referees) from the sidelines when he wasn’t coaching. He loved to travel, especially to the Bahamas and Las Vegas. Those who knew him will remember his fierce loyalty and dedication to his family and his Winston Lights.
He is survived by Helen, his wife of nearly 43 years; sisters, Kay Miller of Altoona, and Bev Fry of West Des Moines; seven children: Amy (Kevin) Delk of Newton; Troy (Cari) Anderson of Davenport; Jody (Mike) Beck of Ankeny; Chad Anderson of Muscatine; Tiffany (Pat) Jauch of Janesville, Wis.; John (Melissa) Healy of Crozet, Va.; David (Heidi) Healy of Madison, Wis; along with 24 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Fran Nelson and brother Jack Anderson; and, by his daughter, Megan Sekulski.
A celebration of Pete’s life will be held on April 26 from 3-6 p.m. at Nick & Jimmy’s Bar & Grill (4956 Monroe St, Toledo, Ohio). There will be a second celebration on May 10 from 1-4 p.m. at the Viking Club of Moline (1450 41st St, Moline, Ill.).
In lieu of flowers, you are invited to support Pete’s granddaughter’s school through the Friends of Saint Joseph School Fund or his son’s church, Crozet Fellowship, in Virginia. The family truly prefers that no flowers be sent to the home.
Custom obituary