Loretta M. (Kaloupek) Pechin, 89, of West Lafayette, formerly of Monticello, died at 9:25 p.m. Friday, June 8, 2012 at Cumberland Pointe Health Campus where she had been a resident since 2004. She was born March 4, 1923 in Gothenburg, Nebraska, the daughter of the late Edward J. and Violet Konicek Kaloupek. She had served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946. After her discharge from the Navy, Loretta married R. James Pechin on March 4, 1946 in Lafayette and he preceded her in death December 8, 1990. Loretta and her husband made their home in Lafayette from 1946 to 1974 and then moved to Monticello and lived there until Loretta returned to the Greater Lafayette area in 2004. She had worked as a secretary at Purdue University in the School of Science and the Financial Aid Department before retiring. She has also worked at the former Turtle Creek Nursing Home in Monticello as a secretary. Loretta is a member of St. Mary Cathedral in Lafayette and a former member of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Monticello. She enjoyed the time spent with her family and grandchildren and was a fan of the Chicago Cubs and Purdue Basketball.
Loretta is survived by her three daughters: Pamela E. Bolyard (husband, Richard), Sharla L. Gray, and Theresa R. Kline, a sister-in-law: Patricia Hunter (husband, Clifford), all of Lafayette. She is also survived by her 3 grandchildren: Bart Bolyard, Kristen Van Laere, and JoAnne Sandifur (husband: Shane), and 4 great-grandchildren. Loretta was preceded in death by her husband, R. James Pechin, a son, James E. Pechin and a son-in-law, Robert L. VanLaere.
Visitation 10-11 a.m. Tuesday followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary Cathedral with Father Matthew Arbuckle officiating. Burial at St. Mary Cemetery with military honors. Hippensteel Funeral Home entrusted with care. Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com