Howard Peters

MURDO - Howard Peters, 87, Murdo, died Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at the Kadoka Nursing Home.

One member of the early morning coffee crew at the Sinclair station in Murdo will now be permanently missing since Howard Edward Peters left this earth for a better home with his Savior. 

Howard was born Oct. 24, 1923, to Edward Peters and Elsie (Dahlke) Peters at their Okaton farm.

He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Lutheran Church near Midland. He attended Horseshoe Bend country school, spent two years at the Okaton School and graduated from Murdo High School in 1942. He then served his country during WW II in the U.S. Navy. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to the Okaton farm. In 1955 he bought the Sinclair station with Jake Hoff and did trucking on the side. He also ranched on the Dahlke homestead west of Okaton. He spent the next 56 years working at those two jobs until failing health forced him to spend less and less time at the station. He loved meeting people, selling tires, and remembering his returning far-away customers.

He married Margie Walbrecht in 1963, a union which produced two children: Amber Sylva (Rich) and Corey (Betty) and two grandchildren, Sierra and Ryan Sylva.

Howard was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church where he served in many offices as elder, secretary, treasurer and president. He also served on the board of Buffalo Township, was on the board of the Independent Oil Men's Association and was a member of the American Legion and VFW.

He is survived by his wife, Margie Peters, Murdo; a daughter, Amber (Rich) Sylva, Murdo; a son, Corey (Betty) Peters, Minneapolis; two grandchildren; a brother, David (Mae) Peters, Saratoga, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Delores Peters, Okaton; two nieces; and three nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Arlene, and a brother, LaVern.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (CDT), with 7 p.m. prayer services Friday, May 13, at the Messiah Lutheran Church.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. (CDT) Saturday, May 14, at the Messiah Lutheran Church with Pastor Ray Greenseth officiating. 

Interment, with full military honors by the Murdo American Legion Post 75 and Draper American Legion Post 301, will follow at the Murdo Cemetery. 

A memorial has been established.

Arrangements are with the Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

His online guestbook is available at www.rushfuneralhome.com.