Ralph Franklin Peters

Ralph Franklin Peters, 90, of Wapello died September 22, 2020 at Burlington Great River Medical Center after a fall at home.  There will be a Graveside Celebration of Life at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 10th, 2020 at Edwards Cemetery.  Following the service, the family will provide a light meal at the Corner Market in Wapello.  The Snyder and Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services of Wapello is caring for the family.   Memorials may be left to the Wapello Ambulance Service in memory of Ralph.  Sympathy notes may be left for the Peter’s family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.  

Ralph was born an only child December 31, 1929 in Chicago at home to James Hal Peters and Winifred Peters (Siverly) both of Wapello.  He grew up in Wapello and graduated from Wapello High School in 1947.

Ralph enlisted in the Navy and left Wapello on the same day he was to try out for the Iowa Cubs in August of 1947.

He married Leatrice Marjean Patterson on July 17, 1953. To them was born Brian, Dion and Beth.  Leatrice died May 12, 1988.

Ralph worked various jobs including the Gypson Plant and Ammunition Plant in Burlington.  He retired from Monsanto in 1991.

Ralph married Dorothy Lea Adkins on January 19, 1990 in a private ceremony at the United Methodist Church in Wapello.

He spent most of his life in Wapello and enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and golfing. He loved the fact that he had left-handed clubs so no one could borrow them and how he had the fastest golf cart at the Indian Hills Golf Club.  He was also an avid fisherman and hunter and was even pulling a deer out of the timber at the age of 82 by himself.  Ralph had a dry sense of humor that could often get him into trouble if you didn’t know him.  He enjoyed spending time at the Bait Shop swapping lies and drinking coffee.  Ralph was a great storyteller.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Wapello; son, Brian Peters and wife Linda of Cleburne Texas, son, Dion Peters and wife Joan of Burleson, Texas; daughter Beth Swift and husband Randy of Washington, Iowa; bonus daughter, Shayla McBride of Burlington, Iowa and bonus son David Gerdner and wife Joanne of Middletown, Delaware; grandchildren, Aaron Peters and wife Janie, Amanda Jones and husband Chris, Hal Peters, Miranda Peters, Veronica Payne and Valerie Payne; bonus grandchildren, Jason Humpton, Joshua Humpton, Sean McBride, Stephen Gerdner and Gabrielle Gerdner, great grandchildren,  Mason, Ayden, Nathan, Kyia and Evan; bonus great grandchildren,  Seth, Emily, Alex, Taylor, Noah, and Casen;    bonus great-great grandchildren; Rylynn and Lucas.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and numerous aunts and uncles who helped raise him.

Ralph’s sense of humor and devotion to his family and friends will be very missed.

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