Obituary of John Peters

John Peters passed away at La Rosa Healthcare Center In Tucson on October 16, 2015 at the age of 95. He was born May 2, 1920 in Sheboygan, WI and was the third oldest in a family of eight children born to Andrew and Rose Peters, recent immigrants from the Ukraine. He attended Sheboygan High School and graduated in 1938. John attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison and graduated in 1942 with a B. S. degree in history and a minor in French. In the fall of 1942 John was drafted into the army where he served in a number of capacities including laboratory technician with the 83rd General Hospital, POW supervisor over 500 German prisoners, interpreter, jeep driver, and clerk. He was stationed in Berlin during the air lift. In 1950 John was hired by the Social Security Administration in Chicago where he worked as an adjustment examiner. During his training at SSA he met another employee, Vicki Zeches who also was his instructor for his adjusting claims class. They were married on September 25, 1954. In 1956 John completed his Masters degree from Northwestern University and was then transferred to Baltimore as system analyst. A few years later he was transferred back to Chicago as operations coordinator and then finally worked as division director at the central office of the Social Security Administration in Baltimore. In 1977 John and Vicki retired and relocated to Tucson where they could be close to Vicki's parents. During their retirement years they were involved in the community in many capacities. They supported the arts and were season ticket holders for over 30 years to the Tucson Symphony, Arizona Opera, and two different theater groups. They were also active in the Austrian Association of Southern Arizona and the Ukrainian-American Society of Tucson. John was fluent in German, French, Ukrainian, Russian, and Spanish and continued studying languages through classes and conversation groups. John and Vicki were also avid travelers, visiting many foreign countries. John loved his family and was faithful in attending weddings, reunions, and other family events. John was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Vicki, his brothers Anthony, Andrew, and Frank, and his sisters Anne Peters, Marie Bauer, and Helen Danci. He is survived by his sister Rose (Don) DuBois of Los Alamos, NM, His sister-in-laws, Joan Holliday of Sierra Vista, AZ, Judy Peters of Palos Verdes Estates, CA, Jan Peters of Tejunga, CA, and Brunie Peters of Coarse Gold, CA, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. The family is appreciative of the care John received at La Rosa Healthcare center during his five month stay. Memorial donations may be made to the Arizona Cancer Center, 1515 N Campbell Ave., P.O. Box 245013 Tucson AZ 85724-5013. Cards can be sent to the Adair Funeral home, 1050 N. Dodge Blvd., Tucson AZ 85716. Condolences and tributes can be made via www.adairfuneralhomes.com A memorial service will be held at the VFW Post 549 at 8424 E. Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ, Saturday, October 24 at 3:00 PM.