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.