John Peters

Military graveside services for John P. Peters, 90, Lawrence will be held 11 a.m. Monday, September 19, 2011 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lawrence.  He died September 16, 2011 at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community in Lawrence.

He was born on December 19, 1920 in Liberty, MO, the son of John Fredrick and Ruth Elma (Watkins) Peters.  

He served his country during WW II in the US Navy as a Lieutenant Senior Grade, serving in the Mediterranean Theater.

He was a banker for Lawrence National Bank for 30 years and then at Farmer’s National Bank in Osborne, KS and retired in 1987.

John was a member of the American Legion, Post #14.  He was also a 32nd degree mason with the Scottish Rite and a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge # 6.  While attending the University of Kansas, John was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity.  He was a member of the First Christian Church for many years.  John was a member of the Chamber of Commerce Ambassador’s Club, where he earned both gold and blue blazers.  He also served on the Red Cross Board.  John was President and State of Kansas Director for the Kansas City Chapter BAI.  He was on the Board of the Kansas Bible Chair, and was President of the Douglas County Banker’s Association, where he was twice honored as Key Banker of Douglas County.  John was a volunteer for the Lawrence Hospital Auxiliary for five years.  He was appointed to the Lawrence Library Board, where he served as president for one year.

 John married Katherine House in May 1948 and she died in June 1959.  He later married Lila R. Bond on September 30, 1961 in Lawrence.  She survives of the home.

Other survivors include three sons, John William Peters of Gig Harbor, WA, Stephen Robert Peters of Denver, CO, Michael Warren Peters, Colorado Springs, CO; one daughter, Barbara Sylvester of Manhattan, KS; one sister, Ruth Gilliland of Hutchinson, KS; and eight grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by a son, Gregory Allen Peters in June, 1955.

The family will receive friends from 7 – 8:30 p.m. on Sunday at the mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the American Red Cross or Douglas County Visiting Nurses, Rehabilitation and Hospice Care  and may be sent in care of the mortuary.