Rev. Gilbert S. Peters

Rev. Gilbert S. Peters, age 95, of Ottawa, Kansas, died Thursday, October 27, 2011. He was born on Tuesday, September 12, 1916, in Bonham, Texas. He was of full Czech descent, the son of Joseph James and Lydia Ann (Skrabanek) Peters. He was a resident of Ottawa since March of 2010, moving from Fredonia, Kansas. He grew up in Texas and also lived in Comanche, Oklahoma City, Spencer, Enid, Lamont and Newkirk in Oklahoma; Ashton, in Illinois; and, Tisdale (near Winfield), Lincoln, Stafford, Smith Center, Lyons, Osage City, and Cherryvale in Kansas. Gilbert graduated from Comanche High School in Comanche, Oklahoma, with the class of 1936. He started college at SMU and then attended Cameron Junior College (where he met his future wife, Wilma), Oklahoma City University (graduating in 1942), and Garrett Evangelical Seminary in Evanston, Illinois (graduating in 1944). Gilbert was a United Methodist minister serving churches in Spencer, Enid, Lamont and Newkirk in Oklahoma; and, Tisdale, Lincoln, Stafford, Smith Center, Lyons, Osage City, Cherryvale, Elk City, and Fredonia in Kansas, where he retired in 1979. He organized the Rural Methodist Fellowship in Oklahoma, serving as its first president, as well as the Rural Methodist Fellowship in the Kansas West Conference, also serving as its first president. He served as Conference Secretary of Evangelism in the Kansas West Conference; Trustee of Kansas Wesleyan; and organized retired pastors in the Parsons District. Over the years, he belonged to Rotary and Lions clubs, a garden club and was a member of the Silver Hair Legislature. He and his wife were always pioneers, organizing many groups throughout the years. On Sunday, August 31, 1941, Gilbert was united in marriage with Wilma J. McCright in Lawton, Oklahoma. She is a resident of Village West in Ottawa Retirement Village, where they recently celebrated their 70th anniversary. He is survived by his: Wife-Wilma J. Peters of Ottawa, Kansas Son-Paul Peters and his wife, Karla, of Lawrence, Kansas Son-Mark Peters and his wife, Pam, of Paola, Kansas Daughter-Jeanne Briggs and her husband, Ron, of Pottsboro, Texas Daughter-Elaine Moeller and her husband, George, Umatilla, Florida Sister-Elinor Powers of Duncan, Oklahoma Grandchildren-(9) Julie Lesslie, David Peters, Lisa Peters, Tonya Peters, Dan Peters, Valerie Briggs, Keith Briggs, Jessica Abou, Rachel Dunn Great Grandchildren-Fourteen He was preceded in death by his: Parents-Joseph J. and Lydia Ann Peters Sister-Martha Williams Brother-Harvey Peters SERVICES: Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2011, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 628 N. Cedar, in Ottawa. IN STATE: Rev. Peters bequeathed his body to the University of Kansas Medical Center. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Youthville (nonprofit agency in Newton, Kansas, for troubled youth), Fredonia United Methodist Church, or Trinity United Methodist Church of Ottawa, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.