Clarence Charles Chuck Peters

Peters, Clarence “Chuck” Charles, 94, left this world on April 7, 2014. Chuck Peters was born November 15, 1919 on a farm in Sedgwick County, in the middle of present-day McConnell Air Force Base. He was the 5th of 7 children born to Philomina (Bachman) and John Joseph Peters. That very house was moved to the Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita some years ago as a classic example of a rural home in their farm life exhibit. He attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School and he later graduated from St. Marys Cathedral High School in 1937. His mother died shortly after and the family moved from the rural farm into the city of Wichita. In the summer before his senior year of high school, during the Depression, he hitchhiked to New Mexico. At 16, he worked the summer selling Fuller Brush products door-to-door. This experience was the beginning of a life-long career in sales. After high school he worked several jobs, but in 1941 he was drafted into the Army. He rose to the rank of technical sergeant overseeing engineering equipment in the 7th Armored Division of the US Army. His division crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Mary, fighting in the D-Day invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. When the war was over he was honorably discharged. He then returned to Wichita and married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Anna Burke. They had 7 children. Chuck worked in sales with several companies and eventually was sales manager for National Linen Service, working there until his retirement in 1984. When his children were growing up, he was a volunteer with the Boy Scouts and a softball coach. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Knights of Columbus. He filled his retirement years with volunteer work. He served on the board at Catholic Charities and the Guadalupe Clinic for many years and assisted on the Catholic Diocese of Wichita Centennial Committee. He was a member of the Citizen Participation Organization (CPO), conveying the concerns of the people in his area of Wichita to the city commissioners for action. He was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for the Poor for over 50 years and held leadership positions until well into his 80s. He and his wife, Anna, served the St. Vincent de Paul Society by visiting the homes of the less fortunate, bringing food and a smile. He served as president of the St. Annes Parish Council. He was a volunteer ombudsperson, acting as a “Good Will Ambassador for the State,” visiting nursing homes, talking to the residents and facilitating resolution of their issues. He found this work very rewarding. He was always active in his church, serving regularly as an usher, lector, and Eucharistic minister. He was very active in Harvest House, the parish organization for seniors. Once again, he maintained a leadership position for many years and helped plan activities. His sense of humor and tasty BBQ meatballs always made him a welcome sight at gatherings. He remained a farmer all his life, cultivating a vegetable garden in his backyard until just recently. In 2000, he collaborated with Readers Digest making a personalized video telling the story of his experience during World War II. After a tribute by Walter Cronkite, Chuck tells his stories from the war. The video is entitled “When I Went to War.” Many groups and schools have asked him to present the video. He has shown his video and answered questions at dozens of gatherings over the years, educating the younger generation and reminding an older generation of their sacrifices. He never cursed and always looked for the silver lining. He had an easy smile and a warm laugh. He was a humble man, living his values and serving others. He is preceded in death by his wife, Anna, and his siblings, John, Francis, Elmer, Sister M. Matilda, and Sister M. Timothy Peters. He is survived by his sister, Christina Hagood of Ft. Scott, KS, and by his sons (and spouses), Tom (Elaine), Tim (Susan) of Wichita, Jim (Sara) of Derby, Dan (Trish) of Independence, MO, Dick (Susanna) of Monument, CO. He is also survived by his daughters (and spouses), Jean Macias (Archie Macias) of Wichita, Mary Peters (Phil McMahon) of Boulder, CO. He is, likewise, survived by 22 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Rosary will be at 7:00 P.M., Friday, April 11 at Downing Lahey East Mortuary, 6555 E. Central. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, April 12 at St. Annes Catholic Church, 2801 S. Seneca. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a foundation Chuck initiated: The St. Annes School Endowment Fund in memory of Anna Peters, 2801 S. Seneca, Wichita, KS 67217.