Cyrus R. "Pete" Peters

Cyrus R. “Pete” Peters, 91, of Manheim, died peacefully on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the United Zion Retirement Community, Lititz. Born in Elizabethtown, he was the son of the late Clayton B. and Mabel Blecher Peters. Pete was a 1943 graduate of Elizabethtown High School. He was the loving husband of Anna Mary Ruhl Peters and they observed their 69th wedding anniversary in September of this year. A proud U.S. Army Veteran, Pete served as a Staff Sergeant in the 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper during World War II. In his early years Pete was employed for the Department of Defense at Olmsted Air Force Base, Middletown for 17 years, he then worked for the New Cumberland Army Depot for 11 years retiring in 1979.Following retirement; Pete worked in the transportation department for 13 years for the Manheim Central School District until retiring a second time in 1992. He was an active and faithful member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Manheim, where he had served on the property committee and was president of the former Men’s Sunday School Class. Pete was a member of the Manheim Historical Society. He and his wife Anna Mary passionately supported veteran’s associations, and patriotic national holidays locally. Pete was a life member of the Manheim VFW Post 5956 and served as Commander from 1967 to 1971, as well as the Lancaster County VFW Commander from 1971 to 1972. He also served as adjutant for the Manheim American Legion Post 419. In his early days Pete served on the boards for Emergency Management of Manheim; and as Chairman of the board # 83 for Select Service, and assisted local elections by serving as judge or clerk for Manheim Borough. In 2008 Pete and his wife Anna Mary received the “Service to Mankind Award” from the Manheim Sertoma Club for their tireless service to the Manheim Community. In 2000 Pete was presented with the President’s Award from the Manheim Athletic Association for outstanding service to youth of Manheim Borough, Penn Township, and Rapho Township. Throughout Pete’s entire life he had a deep affection for sports and sporting events. He participated, coached, and was a fan of many Manheim area sports. He especially enjoyed the Manheim Church Softball League, Baron’s Athletics, and any sport his son, grandchildren, and great grandchildren participated in.

Surviving in addition to his wife Anna Mary, is a daughter-in-law, Carolyn Peters of Manheim, three grandchildren: Brian husband of Michelle Peters of Manheim, Kevin Peters fiancé of David Gelatt of Lancaster, Lindsay wife of Jeremy Troop of Elizabethtown, five great grandchildren: Kyle, Troy and Sydney Peters, Caleigh and Cayden Troop. Preceding him in death is a son, Gerald R. Peters, four brothers: Jay Russell, C. Franklin, James Donald, Elwood Ray Peters, and a sister, Anna Durborow.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Pete’s funeral service at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 50 North Main Street, Manheim, on Friday, October 23, 2015 at 3:00 PM. There will be a viewing at the church on Friday afternoon from 1:30 PM until the time of the service. Military Honors will be accorded at the end of the funeral service. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family in Manheim Fairview Cemetery, Penn Township. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent in Pete’s memory to: United Zion Retirement Community Caring Fund, 722 Furnace Hills Pike, Lititz, PA 17543.