Martin Dale Peters

Martin (Marty) Peters, age 87, of Benton Harbor passed away on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at his home. A Service of Victory will be held 2:00 P.M., Friday, October 19, 2007, with Pastor Glenn Rosenbaum officiating at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 404 E. Glenlord Road, St. Joseph, where he was a member. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 6:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph and also on Friday beginning at 1:00 P.M. at the church. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Marty was born June 21, 1920 in Millburg MI to the late Arter & Olive Peters. He was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School in 1940 where he played center on the football team. His senior year he joined the 12th Division US Naval Reserves and was called to active duty in April of 1941, serving in Panama, Okinawa and the Oakland California Navel Hospital and was discharged as a Chief Pharmacist’s Mate at the end of World War II. After his time in the Navy he enrolled at Ferris State where he earned a degree in pharmacy. He worked as a registered pharmacist in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph for many years, including Gillespie’s Drug Store. He managed Cunninghams Drug Store in Benton Harbor. On April 3, 1943 he married Leona Freier and they were blessed with three children, Carol (Gary) Wallman of Sturgis, MI; Donald (Susan) Peters of West Hartford, CT and Linda (Kurt) Froning of Lincolnwood, IL. Also surviving are seven granddaughters: Laurie Wallman of Sturgis; Jennifer (Bill) Barnett of Saline; Emma, Eliza and Julia Peters of West Hartford, CT and Caroline and Anastasia Froning of Lincolnwood, IL. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by four sisters and two brothers. Marty loved both his Lord and his church where he was actively involved for many years. He was an avid historian and genealogist, being a descendent of early pioneers. Marty was also a member of the “Over the Hill Coffee Bunch”. He took great pleasure in gardening and visiting with friends and family.