Peter Holmes

Donald Peter Holmes, 75, of St. Charles, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025. He was born on April 18, 1950, in Oak Park, Illinois, to his parents, David R. and Ethel (née Brown) Holmes.
Peter, as he was known, devoted his life to his family. He married his college sweetheart, Barbara, and together they raised three daughters. Peter was a pioneer of the "girl dad" ethos and a stellar "Uncle Pete" to multiple generations.
After graduation from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, he became a high school history teacher. He soon joined the family business as a proud third-generation manufacturer's representative. For nearly five decades, he sold fabric, notions, yarn, buttons, and all manner of crafting supplies to stores across the Midwest. Later in life, he went back to school, earning a master's degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
A man of deep faith, Peter was active for four decades in the community of Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, taking pride in ushering on Sunday mornings, organizing the twice-yearly blood drive, and volunteering at Lazarus and Hesed Houses.
In his school years, Peter competed in both wrestling and football, later becoming a coach of these sports during his time as a teacher. He was a lifelong fan of Chicago's teams and always enjoyed playing tennis and golf with friends and family. He could also turn anything (literally anything) into a spirited competition.
Peter was an avid shopper, combing antique stores to add to his collections of watches, pens, and Lincoln memorabilia. His favorite spot was the Holmes family cottage on Crooked Lake in northern Wisconsin, where he spent boyhood summers and treasured time with family.
He is survived by his daughters, Emily (Andy) Nordstrom, Elizabeth Holmes (Matthew Stuart), and Carolyn Holmes (Vasabjit Banerjee); his grandchildren, Aiden and Ethan Nordstrom, R. Fitzgerald, Oliver and Eleanor Stuart, and Barbara and J. George Banerjee; and his siblings, Susan Creighton, David (Virginia) Holmes, and Kathleen (Mark) Greenwald.
In addition to his parents, Peter is preceded in death by his loving wife of 31 years Barbara Bibbs Holmes; his brother, Daniel D. Holmes; his brothers-in-law, Michael Otto Creighton and David Bibbs; and his nephews, Joshua Aaron Holmes and Daniel D. Holmes Jr.
A visitation will take place on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Moss-Norris Funeral Home, 100 S. 3rd Street, St. Charles, Illinois. The funeral service will be held the following day, Saturday January 3, at 1:00 p.m. at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Avenue, St. Charles, Illinois.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Baker Memorial United Methodist Church (kindly specify "For the Holmes Family Mission Fund") or Lazarus House in St. Charles.