Deacon John Petter

Deacon John Petter, age 74, of Temple died Friday, February 22, 2008 at his residence. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM Monday, February 25, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Temple with Bishop Gregory Aymond as celebrant, Monsignor Henry Petter as concelebrant and Rev. Stephen Nesrsta as master of ceremonies. Burial will follow at Temple Garden of Memories. Visitation will be 1:00 – 2:30 PM Sunday at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home. A wake service will be held at 7:00 PM Sunday at St. Mary's Catholic Church. The body will be taken to the church at 4:00 PM. Deacon Petter was born November 30, 1933 in Hill County in the Mt. Calm community to Albin E. and Louise (Gerich) Petter. He attended primary grades at St. Mary's in West and West High School. He married Janie Marie Divin on August 22, 1955 in Hillsboro. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1956 with a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering. He was a 1st Lt. in the U. S. Army from Feb. 1957 – Feb. 1959 stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso. He was employed in the feed mill business for 22 years and also worked as an equipment manager at a rock quarry, Temple Machine Shop and was a Deacon of the Diocese of Austin for the past 12 years. Memberships include Deaconate Council of Austin Diocese, Lifetime Honorary Member 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, KJT Society 114 of Temple. He was a Deacon and member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, National Day of Prayer Task Force member, board member of Martha's Kitchen, board member of St. Vincent de Paul, Religious Formation instructor and Czech Heritage and Language Instructor at the KJT Summer Camp. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Bernard Petter and niece, Melinda Petter. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Janie Divin Petter of Temple, seven sons, Dale Petter and wife, Terry of Temple, Charles Petter and wife, Laura of Fort Worth, Timothy Petter and wife, Gwen of Temple, Gregory Petter and wife, Cindy of Belton, Roger Petter and wife, Patricia of Magnolia, Kurt Petter and wife, Marci of Temple, James Petter of Temple, two daughters, Milissa Christian and husband, Bruce of Temple and Beverley Roeder and husband, Steven of Temple. Also surviving are 31 grandchildren, one brother, Albin Petter, Jr. of Waco and one sister, Rose Marie Sulak of West. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Mary's School Gymnasium.