Donald Owen Peters
December 22, 1931 ~ January 18, 2022
Donald Peters, 90, passed away on January 18, 2022 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Markelz, his father, Richard Peters, his brother, David Peters and his brother-in-law, Wallace Nearing.
Don grew up in Wisconsin and after high school he served 4 years in the Air Force. He traveled extensively and was fortunate enough to play basketball during his tour of duty and was a member of the Air Force All Star team.
After his discharge he attended Lakeland College (WI) on the G.I. Bill where he continued to play basketball. During his senior year, he was named the team captain and the MVP. He also received his BA degree there.
His first job was at the Burlington Iowa YMCA where he was the Physical Director. Burlington was also where he met his wife, Corrine.
After their marriage they moved to Mooresville, IN and he accepted a teaching position at Paul Hadley Jr. High teaching 8th grade history. He coached 7th and subsequently 8th grade boys basketball. In 1965 he started the boys tennis program at Mooresville High School; In 1975 he started the girls program. He coached both until his retirement. Don enjoyed coaching very much and loved all his teams. Many good memories and lasting friendships were formed on and off the court. During this time he was inducted into the Indiana High School Tennis Hall of Fame and the Mooresville High School Hall of Fame. He also completed his Master's Degree at Indiana University.
In the classroom Don took academics very seriously, but outside that classroom he was just "Pete" to his friends at Paul Hadley and MHS. May you all remember the good times and have a laugh or two!
Don always put his family first--always believing that the greatest gift one could give to loved ones was to spend time with them, to listen to them, to be non-judgmental, and just love them. This is how he lived his life.
Don is survived and loved by his wife of 60 years, Corrine, his daughters, Stacey (Tom), Dana (Bryon), Kelly (Bob), Jodi (Bill), the joys of his life, his grandchildren Lauren, Daniel, Sara, Isabella, Jared, Adam, Jessica, Taylor, and his sisters, Myrna, Pam, and his sister-in-law, Elizabeth.
Services for Don will be private--we pray that God will grant him eternal peace.
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I loved him as my history teacher! He was awesome and made such a good impression on my young life. ❤️ߥТݤ️ Debbie Golay
Mr. Peters was my 8th grade history teacher. I was always a bit terrified of him… but I learned so much in his class. He insisted that you work to your potential, and gave honest feedback when you didn’t. To this day, I still have the Gettysburg Address and the Preamble to the Constitution memorized because of him. I am grateful for the knowledge gained in his classroom. Rest easy Mr. Peters. Lori Farb
What a great man he was! He definitely had a passion for teaching. He loved his family. I feel blessed to have known him. My love and condolences to Corinne and the girls Linda (Gajderowicz) Esterline
Don coached both of my sons in Tennis and we have fond memories of him. May he rest in peace and may the family know he was love and respected for his talents and service.
One of my favorite teachers, Paul Hadley in about 1965-1966. Thank you Mr Peters for your service to Mooresville Schools whether it be teaching or extra circular. Prayers for his family.
Don was my tennis coach from 1968 through 1973. He was a great coach and I have fond memories of constructing our courts to play fast, the way he liked it.
Corrine, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Mr. Peters’ memory rides with me still today, many great times on the tennis court in summer tennis and on team trips. I remember one time where he had to make the hard choice, I am sure to discipline his number one player, but he did. I remember that lesson still today. It is too long ago to recall clearly but I think he coached one of my Jr basketball teams. My Dad, the Paul Hadley Jr High Principal thought a lot of you and Don. Sorry to hear about his end of life struggles and your loss. Jeff P.
He has always been one of my teachers I will never forget. He required us to do memorizing, Gettysburg address and the preamble, I was terrified I could not do it. But he was supportive and would offer suggestions to help. I always had a lot of respect for him. I remember those memorizations to this day and I am glad I have them. May he Rest In Peace.