John Pleas "Pete" Schrimpsher Jr., 71, who lived in Niota with his sister, Rosey Fiegle, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at McMinn Memorial Nursing Home in Etowah.

He was a member of Ball Road Baptist Church, was a resident of McMinn County for the last 16 years and was a member of the McMinn Senior Activity Center. He enjoyed and was proud of his volunteer work watering the flowers and feeding the birds. He was an active participant of the Senior Olympics and was very proud of his medals.

Before moving to McMinn County, he was a resident of Knoxville, where he worked for Krystal and Hardees. A son the late Rev. John Pleas Schrimpsher Sr. and Stella Cleo Goins Schrimpsher, he was preceded in death by one brother, Ronnie Schrimpsher; and three sisters, Mary Adeline Schrimpsher, Connie Darlene Schrimpsher and Barbara Sue Smith.

Survivors include five brothers and four sisters-in-law, Bill Schrimpsher of Mosley, Va., Lester Dean and Edith Schrimpsher of Knoxville, Donnie and Diana Schrimpsher of Lenoir City, Clint and Sue Schrimpsher of Knoxville, and Mike and Robbie Schrimpsher of Lenoir City; and five sisters and brothers-in-law, Carolyn and Larry White and Marge and Jim Miller, all of Knoxville; his loving sister, friend and caregiver, Rosey Fiegle and her husband, Ed, of Niota, and Pamela and Butch Hall and Karen "Neice" and Alan Maxey, all of Knoxville.

The family would like to thank all his friends at the Senior Center for all their love and support; all the great people at McMinn Memorial Nursing Home for all the great love, support and great care he received; to Hanna Bean for the picnics, hugs, prayers and tour of Hanna Land; his special friend and love of his life, Ann Weirs, of Knoxville; and his Senior Center buddies, Charles Clementson and Rebecca Joubert. He loved you all so much.

Memorial services will be 8 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Schrimpsher officiating.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to McMinn County Senior Citizens, Inc., P.O. Box 41, Athens, TN 37371-0041.