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Gerald Peterman Obituary
Pastor Gerald Walter 'Jerry' Peterman Sr. passed peacefully, from his home, into Christ's loving arms on Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 at the age of 85.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Jan K. Peterman of Graham; brother, Robert Peterman and wife Mary Ellen of Wisconsin; children, Valerie Peterman of Brooksville Fla., Gerald W. Peterman Jr. and wife Margie of Round Lake Beach Ill., John R. Peterman and wife Susan Easterling of Springtown, and Lisa Peterman Estes and husband John of Fort Worth; stepson, Dutch Flodstrom and wife Tina of Burleson; stepdaughter, Dawn Landis and husband Jon of Pittsburgh, Penn.; stepdaughter, Erin Miller and husband David of North Richland Hills; stepson, Eric Flodstrom and wife Joey of Burleson; grandchildren, Bethany Peterman Siu, Grace Peterman, Madelyn Sullivan, Charolette Fineman, Melinda Peterman, Brittany Stroope, Heather Haddix, Bambi Luna, Shannon Wallace, Lindsay Boyd, Candace Gobbeo, Jared Landis, Aiden Landis, Ethan Landis, Christian Flodstrom-Sconce, Ray Flodstrom and Summer Flodstrom; 19 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Jerry was born March 19, 1931 in Green Bay, Wisc., and was baptized on April 14 of that year. His mother always said he was going to be a preacher some day. After graduating from East High School, he attended classes at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay for one year. He then worked for Kraft Foods Co. in Chicago.
After the breakout of the Korean War, he enlisted in the Air Force on April 21, 1951 and began his military career with a tour of duty in Anchorage, Alaska. Commissioned in 1955, he served as a combat crew commander for Titan I and Titan II missiles. Later he became an electronic warfare officer on B-52 bombers. During the Vietnam conflict he was with the B-52s in Guam, Thailand and Okinawa and he flew approximately 250 combat bombing missions over North and South Vietnam.
While with the Air Force he continued his college work and received his bachelor of arts degree from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth in 1975. In October 1976, he retired with the rank of major after 25 years of service.
For four years, he worked as a commodities broker. In 1981 he entered Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., in preparation for becoming a pastor by colloquy in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
On July 10, 1983, he was installed as a seminary vicar at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Olney. As a seminary vicar, his main responsibility was to serve Faith Lutheran Church in Graham. On July 8, 1984 he was ordained and installed as pastor for Faith Lutheran Church. He served as pastor for Faith for 25 years. During this same time, he spent 20 years as part-time pastor for Trinity Lutheran Church in Bridgeport.
From 1990 he also served as chaplain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8567 here in Graham. He was the first clergyman to be chaplain for this post. For many years during this time, he also delivered Meals on Wheels in Graham.
On Sunday, July 5, 2009, Jerry preached his farewell sermon and conducted his final communion service both in Bridgeport and in Graham. Jerry also established an educational scholarship at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in the name of his mother, Alma Peterman.
For 25 years, Jerry and his wife Jan enjoyed spending weeks at a time traveling throughout Germany and Italy, with Jerry teaching himself German and Italian. He even took a German newspaper on a weekly basis, giving himself ample opportunity to practice German, and scheduled regular time every day to practice his Italian. Jerry and Jan loved nothing more than spending time together, and with their kids, grandkids and great-grandchildren.
A visitation is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at McMillan-Satterwhite Funeral Home, 1501 U.S. 380 bypass in Graham. Funeral services will be held at Faith Lutheran Church beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24.
We will celebrate his life during the visitation scheduled Monday evening at McMillan-Satterwhite Funeral Home. Our celebration of his life will continue at Faith Lutheran Church immediately after the burial service. He will be sorely missed by all.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Jan K. Peterman of Graham; brother, Robert Peterman and wife Mary Ellen of Wisconsin; children, Valerie Peterman of Brooksville Fla., Gerald W. Peterman Jr. and wife Margie of Round Lake Beach Ill., John R. Peterman and wife Susan Easterling of Springtown, and Lisa Peterman Estes and husband John of Fort Worth; stepson, Dutch Flodstrom and wife Tina of Burleson; stepdaughter, Dawn Landis and husband Jon of Pittsburgh, Penn.; stepdaughter, Erin Miller and husband David of North Richland Hills; stepson, Eric Flodstrom and wife Joey of Burleson; grandchildren, Bethany Peterman Siu, Grace Peterman, Madelyn Sullivan, Charolette Fineman, Melinda Peterman, Brittany Stroope, Heather Haddix, Bambi Luna, Shannon Wallace, Lindsay Boyd, Candace Gobbeo, Jared Landis, Aiden Landis, Ethan Landis, Christian Flodstrom-Sconce, Ray Flodstrom and Summer Flodstrom; 19 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Jerry was born March 19, 1931 in Green Bay, Wisc., and was baptized on April 14 of that year. His mother always said he was going to be a preacher some day. After graduating from East High School, he attended classes at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay for one year. He then worked for Kraft Foods Co. in Chicago.
After the breakout of the Korean War, he enlisted in the Air Force on April 21, 1951 and began his military career with a tour of duty in Anchorage, Alaska. Commissioned in 1955, he served as a combat crew commander for Titan I and Titan II missiles. Later he became an electronic warfare officer on B-52 bombers. During the Vietnam conflict he was with the B-52s in Guam, Thailand and Okinawa and he flew approximately 250 combat bombing missions over North and South Vietnam.
While with the Air Force he continued his college work and received his bachelor of arts degree from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth in 1975. In October 1976, he retired with the rank of major after 25 years of service.
For four years, he worked as a commodities broker. In 1981 he entered Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., in preparation for becoming a pastor by colloquy in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
On July 10, 1983, he was installed as a seminary vicar at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Olney. As a seminary vicar, his main responsibility was to serve Faith Lutheran Church in Graham. On July 8, 1984 he was ordained and installed as pastor for Faith Lutheran Church. He served as pastor for Faith for 25 years. During this same time, he spent 20 years as part-time pastor for Trinity Lutheran Church in Bridgeport.
From 1990 he also served as chaplain for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8567 here in Graham. He was the first clergyman to be chaplain for this post. For many years during this time, he also delivered Meals on Wheels in Graham.
On Sunday, July 5, 2009, Jerry preached his farewell sermon and conducted his final communion service both in Bridgeport and in Graham. Jerry also established an educational scholarship at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in the name of his mother, Alma Peterman.
For 25 years, Jerry and his wife Jan enjoyed spending weeks at a time traveling throughout Germany and Italy, with Jerry teaching himself German and Italian. He even took a German newspaper on a weekly basis, giving himself ample opportunity to practice German, and scheduled regular time every day to practice his Italian. Jerry and Jan loved nothing more than spending time together, and with their kids, grandkids and great-grandchildren.
A visitation is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at McMillan-Satterwhite Funeral Home, 1501 U.S. 380 bypass in Graham. Funeral services will be held at Faith Lutheran Church beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24.
We will celebrate his life during the visitation scheduled Monday evening at McMillan-Satterwhite Funeral Home. Our celebration of his life will continue at Faith Lutheran Church immediately after the burial service. He will be sorely missed by all.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Graham Leader on Jan. 23, 2017.
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