E. Nick Peters, 80, of Terre Haute, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at home surrounded by his family. He was born March 31, 1929 to Mary Etta “Smith” Peters and Samuel J. Peters Sr.
Nick is survived by his wife, Deborah (Kirk) Peters; children, Sandra Heston of Mishawaka, Sharon Hensley, Robert Peters, Betty Ellinger (JR), and William Peters; stepchildren, William Kirk (Amanda), Angel Dean (Jimmy) of Fishers; grandchildren, Kurran Strunk (William) of South Bend and Erin Brown (Marvin) of Mishawaka, Mikael “Hank” Hensley (Cheryl), Nicole Andis (Shannon), Chad Sappingfield (Tabitha), William Norris II (Kimberly), Chelsey Medley (James), Angela, Cody, Nicholas and Hannah Peters, Abby and Emma Dean, both of Fishers, Dylan, Devan and Austin Kirk; great-grandchildren, Mason Brown of Mishawaka, Alec Hensley, James Sappingfield, Nicholas Brown of Mishawaka, Lola Sappingfield, and Gage Norris; one brother, Samuel J. Peters Jr.
Preceded in death by his parents; six siblings; his wife of 49 years, Vivian J. (Gladson) Peters, died Dec. 20, 1997; and three infant children, Edward, Gerald and Ginny.
Nick served his community for many years, first as a Terre Haute firefighter for 26 years, where he attained the rank of assistant chief, and during that time he also was secretary of the pension board. He retired from the fire department in 1979. Once retired, he followed in his father’s footsteps, entering the political arena. He was elected to the office of Terre Haute City Clerk, where he served four years and was responsible for having the inmates in the county jail go out and help clean up the highways. In 1984, he was elected Harrison Township trustee, where he continued to serve until his retirement at the end of 2008. Nick was active in Democrat politics in Vigo County for his entire life, first as a child with his father and then continuing the tradition with his own family. Nick also served on the founding board for Ryves Hall Community Center, an allocations panel and also on the board of directors for the United Way of the Wabash Valley, and also Planning Council for Welfare to Work. Nick was instrumental in the rebuilding of Historic Mill Dam and a founding member of the Historic Mill Dam Restoration Committee. Nick was honored with the Public Service Award given by the Wabash Valley Central Labor Council. He was a member of the Labor Council. He had previously worked at Arab Pest Control and as a tree trimmer. For the past 20 years, he had cooked the beans at the Labor Day Bean Dinner.
Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. today in DeBaun Funeral Home, 85 E. Springhill Drive, with the Rev. William Herb officiating. Visitation is from 2 until 6 p.m. today in the funeral home. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. The family would like to thank Hospice of the Wabash Valley for all of their support and if any friends wish to make memorial contributions the family would suggest that they be made to Hospice of the Wabash Valley (envelopes will be available at the funeral home).
