Russell Vernon Peters

Russell Vernon Peters, age 94 of Ithaca, Michigan passed away on December 28, 2021.

Russell was born March 11, 1927 to parents Alpha and Clara Peters. He was born in Harrison Michigan.  After a brief time in Alabama,  The family resided in rural Gratiot County. 

Russell was blessed to be married to three ladies.  He married Joan Peters in 1949 and had four children.  In 1981 He married Bea (Andrews) Peters and enjoyed traveling across the USA.  In 1995 Russell married Carol (Leiter) Peters and they also loved to travel. 

As a young man, Russell worked for the State of Michigan on a road maintenance crew. But he was a truck driver at heart. After hauling fuel oil for a short time, he worked for Monroe Trucking for many years and  then became an owner/operator of a small fleet of trucks delivering everything from livestock, to produce, salt, gravel and Steel. Even after retiring, Russell continued to drive, delivering motorhomes across the US. 

Russell was an active member of the Loyal Order of Moose maintaining membership in St. Louis Lodge as well as in Ruskin Florida.  He received the Pilgrim Degree of Merit which is the highest honor awarded for extraordinary service.  Russell was also a member of Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Russell was a traveler. After retiring, he and Bea traveled the US visiting all the continental states as well as the Canadian provinces and Mexico. He and Carol continued to follow a “gypsy ” life style.  Russell lived in his Motorhome for more than 25 years. He kept track of every mile the motorhome traveled. He also kept track of all the Moose Lodges he visited.  It was well over 500 lodges. 

Russell is preceded in death by his son Richard (Dick) Peters, Wives Joan Peters, Bea (Andrews) Peters, Carol (Leiter) Peters,  Parents Alpha and Clara Peters, brothers and sisters Leroy and Ileen Peters, Lottie and Harvey Unruh, Flossie and Robert Williams, Myrtle and Howard Krick, Howard Peters, Ivan and Joyce Peters, and step-son  Mike Andrews, Carol Curtin, Ed Whitney, Joanie and Dale Whitney, and Frank and Bev Whitney.

He is survived by Daughter Carol McLane of Portland, MI, sons David Peters of Alma and Kurt and Kim Peters of Ithaca, Daughers-in-Law Julie Peters of Madison Heights, MI and Judy Liccardi of Wrens, Georgia; Sister-in-Law, Mary Whitney of Apollo Beach Florida, Larry Curtin of Arizona; Step-children Douglas and Debbie Andrews of Reed City, Tony and Lois Leiter of Ithaca,  Linda Bush of Ithaca,  Diane Leiter of Virginia;  20 Grandchildren,  32 great grandchildren, and 14 Great-great Grandchildren;  as well as nieces, nephews and many many friends.

Funeral service for Russell will be 11 AM on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca.  Burial will follow at Ithaca Cemetery. The funeral may be streamed via Zoom at the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8344161516?pwd=azJMV0pIeUZ1bzYvNGllcHRWVHJzQT09  Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 on Monday January 3rd at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Louis Moose Lodge #1566.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.

Comments

[Linda Smith]

A life well lived…extended and blended family man. Russell lived life on his terms and loved his family and friends. My condolences to all his family and friends. He will live on in your hearts and memories and you’ll meet again when the time is right. Love to you all. Linda, “LK”, Lynn Smith.

[Carla (Gotts/Merritt) Reus]

Was so sorry to hear of Russells passing, had just recently, thanks to Kurt, been able to talk with Russ, and share some old times, of when I stayed with Joann and Russ and family, Miss going to Aunt Bea's cabin, and eating smoked fish etc. May God be with all the family thru their loss.

[Mary Whitney]

Oh my I lost my special buddy. God has now another angel to help look after us. Russ was a very special person. I will miss him dearly in the days ahead. Sweet memories that I will treasure all the days of my life. Rest in peace loved one.

[Kathy Swarey]

Sending my sympathy and love.. I have pleasant memories too. Our family enjoyed a few of those 'cross country' visits also! My thoughts are especially with you, Dave.
Sincerely, Kathy & Tom

[Kathy Brown]

Dear family,
Our prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Uncle Russell will be remembered by his smile and visiting with him at family functions. A fond memory is seeing his motor home parked up to Drummond Island. Hugs to you all.
With love,
Aaron and Kathy

[LuErla Gene and Velda]

We too enjoyed having uncle Russell stop by and see us in Moundridge Kansas. Our condolences are with you.

[Marilyn and James Schultz]

Uncle Russell and his family was and is special to me. It was delightful to go to their house, have them stop in or be at family gatherings. He visited my folks in Kansas, came to Texas and Arkansas too. How does one put a lifetime of wonderful memories in a few words! Heartfelt sympathy to you and your families, Carol, David and Kurt. Sincerely, James and Marilyn (Williams) Schultz

[Lyle&Marcille]

So many fond memories of uncle Russell always looked forward to seeing him in GA.our love & prayers for you Carol ,Dave ,& Kurt.would love to see you all again.

[Lyle&Marcille]

So many fond memories of uncle Russell always looked forward to seeing him in GA.our love & prayers for you Carol ,Dave ,& Kurt.would love to see you all again.

[Lyle&Marcille]

So many fond memories of uncle Russell always looked forward to seeing him in GA.our love & prayers for you Carol ,Dave ,& Kurt.would love to see you all again.

[Lori and Doug Smith]

Carol, David & Kurt, Kim, Kurtis, Kasey
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Grandpa Russ will always have a special place in our hearts. Having Russ in our lives has been a blessing. Having him camping and telling us about his travels and visiting us in Florida with his Plant City strawberries. You will be forever loved and missed Grandpa Russ
Doug and Lori Smith

[Melva Holdeman]

I always looked forward to the times dear Uncle Russell visited us or being at gatherings with family. I treasure the memories, especially when He let Dave come live with us many years ago. My love and sympathies, Sincerely, Melva Holdeman ( third daughter of Lyle & Marcille)

[Tracy Zeiset]

My deepest Sympathy to you as a family. Uncle Russle always was
always very special to me. We always loved it when he come. Our good times at the Peter's Reunion. I will greatly miss him. Jeff&Tracy Aleah and Alayna

[Jon Krekorian]

To me Russ was family, always greeted me with a warm smile and a firm handshake. I can not say enough good things about this man. He was a all around great man who will surely be missed by all. Farewell uncle Russ, may your road be straight and smooth. Until we meet again god bless you. My condolences to his family and all that that loved him and the souls he touched.

[Art and Susie Peters]

No words can express how much we will miss the visits and phone calls with Russell. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Rest In peace Uncle Russell.

[Brenda Holdeman]

Was so sorry to hear of uncle's passing, my thoughts & prayers are with all of you dear cousins. I too have so many precious memories, all the times spent at their house in Ithaca,camping trips to school section lake,Peter's family gatherings & reunions, yearly stops here in Georgia on his way to Florida,all the baking & candy making,& sharing he loved to do,the list is endless ..now to think he is the last of that generation to pass,the closing of another chapter, it will all be missed..would love to be able to come, but I'll be there in my heart. Love & & Prayers , Brenda

[Randal & Rose Goossen]

We were always glad to see U Russell when he came by to visit the relatives in Georgia. He was short of stature and so am I. We looked each other in the eye and chatted away. We liked him immensely and admired his intrepidity.
With him goes the last of that special Peter's physique. We will truly miss him.
Carol, please don't stop stopping in.
To all his family and friends that loved and treasured him...
Our deepest sympathy.
Randal & Rose Goossen

[Larry and Margaret Baker]

So sorry for your loss. We have known Russ a long time. He definently will be missed. Lot of Moose families will be broken for sometime by his loss

[Joanie Whitney Koenig]

Dear Family, What a great loss. Russ was a wonderful brother-in-law and uncle to my daughters. After Bea’s passing he remained as close as when she was with us. Such a kind and loving man. Always there to lend a helping hand with a smile. Lots of wonderful memories in the motor home. He will be truly missed. Joanie(Whitney) and Rudy Koenig

[Darrell Hundey]

So sorry to hear of Russ's passing. My thoughts & prayers go out to Killer and all of the family.

[Carol Bell]

Iwill sadly miss Russ and all his silly jokes. He was an awesome euchre player. I loved to have him as my partner at the moose, you knew you were in for an interesting night when you drew him for a partner.The world lost a great guy. my condolnces to all.

[Scott Hart]

Our deepest sympathy on the loss of an incredible father, grandfather and friend in Russell. Thank you for sharing his life with the Moose Fraternity all these years. It was an honor to watch Russell walk into the Mooseheart House of God to receive his Pilgrim Degree. His hard work, joyful spirit and willingness to always help blessed so many, including the children at Mooseheart and seniors at Moosehaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Sheila LaForge and Josephine Peters]

So sorry for your loss. Russel will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

[julie peters]

We have lost a good man and Heaven has gained an angel
Russell was: A very special and loving man, A man with a generous and kind soul, A man who always smiled and had something nice to say, A man that truly loved his family and friends. Russell will be missed by his family and all who had the good fortune of knowing this wonderful man. May he still be traveling in his motor home and exploring the wonders that we will have to wait to visit. My condolences to everyone who was fortunate enough to have crossed his path, family, friends, and those who may have only met him once...we have lost a wonderful man.

[Pattie Whitmore]

Russ was my father's best friend, he also attended my wedding many years ago , I have many fond memories of Russ at my parents home , my condolences to the family he will be greatly missed .