JANET ANN PETER,
84, of Kingston, MI passed away surrounded by the love of her family on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Heritage Hill Memory Care in Caro. She was born September 17, 1938 in Alma to Samuel and Mildred (Anderson) Molby on her mother’s twenty-sixth birthday and spent her early years on a small family farm. She graduated from Alma High School and attended classes at Central Michigan University. She married Albert “Richard” Peter on February 7, 1959 in Elwell, MI. They were married for sixty-three years.
In her younger married years, Jan spent her time raising her four boys, as they lived in California, and eventually settled back in Kingston in 1969, when she and Richard put their roots down and raised their family. She enjoyed painting, quilting, music, nature, zinnias, and history. Jan was very active and enjoyed daily walks, bike rides, and waterskiing. She loved going to church with her community and played the piano at the Kingston United Methodist Church for over fifty years. She and Richard enjoyed their winters in North Fort Myers, FL. Jan was an excellent cook and will be remembered for her homemade meals and desserts. She was patient, kind, generous, witty, and a wonderful loving woman. Jan was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother and loved her family with all her heart.
Jan will be remembered by her community for her work with the Kingston Depot, The Kingston Area Historical Committee, and the Kingston Days Committee. Her work started in 1982 during the Kingston quasqui-centennial. In 1982, she and historical society member Ron Barrons co-authored "Kingston, MI 1857-1982." Jan went on to write seven more books with her husband Richard, compiling stories from community members to include information about the early settlers, area schools, war veterans, the Polly Ann train, and more. These books are titled, "A Walk-Through Time," "Nellie," "The Kingston and Wilmot Depots and the 'Polly Ann,'" "Pioneer Days in the Kingston Area," "Military Veterans of the Kingston Area," "Early Settlers of Kingston," and "They All Became One." She and Richard also created the Kingston Heritage signs along the sidewalks outside the houses and businesses in town to preserve the history.
Jan is survived by her husband, Richard Peter of Kingston; sons: Gregory (Karyn) Peter of Kingston, Gary Peter (Lori Burns) of Carson City, and Douglas (Tammy) Peter of Vassar; daughter-in-law: Melinda (Jack II) Wheatley of Flushing; grandchildren: Aracelli Peter of Kingston, Dustin Peter of Kingston, Megan Peter (Eshwar Arasu) of Nashville, TN, Nicole Peter of Pleasant Ridge, Jenna (Brett) Close of Reese, Brandon (Theresa) Peter of Frankenmuth, Alyssa Peter of Frankenmuth, Andrew (Morgan) Wheatley of Ann Arbor, Madeline Wheatley of Ann Arbor, Jack Wheatley III of Ann Arbor, and Alexandra Wheatley of Bloomfield; great-grandchildren: Adelynn Close, Violet Arasu, Van David Wheatley, and one more on the way. She is also survived by her siblings: Jim (Clara) Molby of Riverdale, Louise (Ken) Walkiewicz of Deford; brother-in-law: Robert (Judy) Peter of Naples, FL; sisters-in-law: Jane Bergey of Mount Pleasant, Marilyn Dale of Ada, and Jennifer Peter (Don VanDuren) of Grand Rapids; many nieces, nephews, extended family, and beloved friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; son, David Peter, nephew, Jonathan Walkiewicz.
Memorial service held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2023 in Kingston United Methodist Church with Pastor Robert Demyanovich officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Kingston Depot, Kingston United Methodist Church, The Kingston Area Historical Committee, or Heritage Hill Assisted Living and Memory Care.
Visitation: 10 am to 11 am Saturday, January 7, 2023 in Kingston United Methodist Church.
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