Carney Ray Petrik age 58, of Mitchell, SD died Monday, April 11, 2016 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital. Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Friday, April 15, 2016 at the Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell with burial at 2:00 PM Friday at the Pleasant Lawn Cemetery in Geddes, SD. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Friday at the Will Funeral Chapel.

Carney Ray Petrik, son of Ernest and Albina (Stluka) Petrik, was born February 11, 1958 in Platte, SD. Due to Carney making his appearance so late in his parent's life, he became their whole world. Being the special person that he was, he soon became the center of attention to all of his mom's sisters and easily made friends up and down Main Street in Geddes.

Carney attended a couple of years of school in Geddes before being allowed to stay at home due to his learning disability. He spent his days visiting with friends up and down Main Street and working at Boyd's Gun Shop. His favorite thing to do was to go to the Geddes Café for pie.

Carney's dad passed away in 1984 so Carney took care of his mom until she entered the Platte Nursing Home in June of 1994. As of that date, he moved to Mitchell to begin his second life at LifeQuest. Carney thrived in his new home. He lived in several different houses before finally moving into the house at 1811 N. Minnesota, called the Blaalid House. Carney had three very special roommates in his final home.

Carney made many new friends at LifeQuest and became very special to the staff there. He was included in many outside activities by families who had someone working there. He was known as the social butterfly and was liked by many not only at LifeQuest but also up and down Mitchell's Main Street.

Carney was baptized on April 26, 2009 at the Harvest Community Church in Mitchell. This was a very important occasion in Carney's life. He was always eager to lead the prayer at any occasion.

Carney lead a very busy lifestyle. He loved doing "work" at LifeQuest or volunteering around the community. It was important to him to always be helping out. As Carney's need for full-time oxygen increased he was limited in what activities he could participate in. He loved going out to eat, shopping, bowling, ballgames and especially going to concerts. He was very proud of his personally autographed picture of Carrie Underwood.

In 2001, Jeff Sand became Carney's advocate and herein came his second family. Jeff eventually married Ashley. Carney was so proud to be an usher at their wedding. The Sand family was very gracious and loving to Carney. They took him on many family outing and vacations and he was always included in holiday get-togethers. Through their generosity Carney was able to see and experience a whole new world.

Grateful for having shared his life are his guardian and cousin, Becky (Dave) Scott and their children, Geddes, SD; the Sand family of Mitchell, Dan and Cathy Sand, Mitchell, SD, Jeff and Ashley Sand and their son, Max, Mitchell, SD; two cousins, Norma Stluka, Geddes, SD and Mildred Blake, Sioux Falls, SD; other family members as well as all his friends from LifeQuest.

Carney was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, his grandparents, his special aunts and uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be directed to LifeQuest in Mitchell.