LaVern Leroy Peters
Memorial Celebration of Life Services for LaVern Peters, age 93, of Bedford, who passed away Sunday, October 8, 2017 at his home in Bedford will be held Sunday, October 15, 2017 at 3:00 PM at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Visitation will be held Sunday from 1:30 until service time with the family greeting friends. Interment with military rites will be held at the Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials may be directed to Hospice. Memories may be shared with the family at www.ritchiefuneralhome.com under Obituaries. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford where we 'Celebrate Life'. LaVern Leroy Peters was born on a farm north of Red Oak, Iowa, on February 21, 1924, son of Fred J. Peters and Lenora (Altaffer) Peters. The family moved to Bedford in 1934 where LaVern started the 4th grade and graduated from Bedford High School in 1941. Following graduation LaVern took a job at the Gasoline Alley service station in Bedford and worked there until taking a job at Cobb's Ice Cream Company in 1942 where he worked his way up to head ice cream and sweet cream maker. La...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
n enlisted in the Army Air Corps and began serving his country on August 13, 1943. LaVern trained as a gunner on the B-24 bomber and served in the 8th Air Force in Europe. LaVern flew his first combat mission January 14, 1945 and flew 24 of the assigned 35 combat missions prior to the victory in Europe. Among LaVern's awards for his service were 4 air medals, 4 battle stars, Presidential unit citation and France's highest award, The French Legion of Merit. After his discharge from the service, LaVern was united in marriage to Maxine Kammeyer on September 28, 1945. LaVern attended and graduated from Iowa State with a two-year degree in Dairy Plant Management. In 1947, they moved to Bedford and were blessed with the birth of two children, Randy and Ron. LaVern worked many jobs, including being the Manager of Cobb's Ice Cream and as a night policeman. In 1959, LaVern began his career with the United States Postal Service as a part-time clerk and carrier. Then in 1970, LaVern was appointed Post Master of the Bedford Post Office. LaVern held this position for the next 28 years, retiring on January 1, 1998. Through the years LaVern was very active in the Bedford community. He was a Cubmaster for 2 years, a Scoutmaster for 3 years, I.O.O. F. Noble Grand for 3 terms, Night policeman for 2 years, Taylor County Reserve Officer for over 20 years, Taylor County Wildlife secretary for 2 years, A life-time member of the I.O.O. F., Legion and V.F.W., City Council member for 2 years and served as a Chairman of Trustees for the Baptist Church for 9 years. LaVern also enjoyed his flower garden, the outdoors, listening and singing at country music jams and visiting with many people including Colonel Tibbhus, Jimmy Stewart, Kurt Warner and LeRoy Van Dyke. LaVern loved to tell jokes and stories to everyone he met and he never told the same one twice. LaVern is survived by sons; Randy Peters and wife Fran, Ron and wife Cheryl, grandchildren; Matthew, Caroline and Julie, great-grandson Hunter Allen; and very caring present life partner Norma Cox; and a sister, Mary Case; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. LaVern is preceded in death by his wife Maxine Kammeyer Peters, parents Fred and Lanora Peters, brothers Harry Johnson and Garvin Peters, a sister Loretta Cross; a beloved grandson, Todd Peters. LaVern served his country and his community. We will forever hold these precious memories in our hearts. May he be at peace in God's loving care. To read the full obituary, please click here: http://www.ritchiefuneralhome.com/obituaries/LaVern-Leroy-Peters?obId=2618027#/obituaryInfo
