Otis W. “Pete” Pickett

94, passed away in Bradenton, Florida on Monday, August 24, 2015, where he had resided since 2006. Otis was born and raised in the Indianapolis area. During WWII, Otis proudly served his country in the US Navy. He served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV-13) and was aboard during the kamikaze attack of March 19, 1945.

In 1959, Pete founded Precision Balancing Company in Indianapolis. The company would later be owned and operated by his son, Robert Pickett, and currently by the third generation of the Pickett family, his grandson, Joseph Pickett.

Otis is survived by his son, Robert (Sandra) Pickett of Indianapolis; his daughter, Patricia Pickett Lindstrand; 3 grandchildren, Steven (Mary) Pickett, Joseph (Lisa) Pickett and Charlene (Richard) Jones; and 6 great-grandchildren. Otis was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 70 years, Julia Plew Pickett.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2015, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th Street, Sheridan, Indiana 46069, with visitation from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. Burial with military honors will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be presented to The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home. http://www.allchildrenfirst.org – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/indystar/obituary.aspx?n=otis-w-pickett-pete&pid=175649717&fhid=14553&eid=sp_ommatch#sthash.dz5URXcl.dpuf