Kenneth E. Peters

Ken is survived by his wife, Catherine “Kay” Peters of 65 years; four sons, Jeffery Peters of Marion, Iowa, Gregory (Denise) Peters, Todd Peters, Roger (Tracy) Peters, all of Pekin; one daughter, Deborah (Kurt) Schimmelpfenning of Pekin; 10 grandchildren, Alex (Sarah) Peters, Westin (Ashley) Peters, Ashley (Jason) Barton, Caitlin (Donnie) Englebrecht, Roslyn (Jared) Williams, Justine (Scott) Craft, Jared (Katie) Schimmelpfenning, Catie (Reece) Powell, Josh (Jordan) Peters, and Jack Peters; 13 great grandchildren; his brother, Lloyd Peters; his sister, Joyce (Jerry) Sanders and a sister-in-law, Bonnie Peters.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Loretta Peters; a brother, Richard Peters, a sister-in-law, Jean Peters and a daughter-in-law, Kelly Peters.

Born April 30, 1937, to Edmund and Laura Peters in Quincy, he grew up and attended school in Quincy. He served 4 years in the United States Air Force as a cryptologist spending time around the globe stationed in North Africa and Germany. He returned to Quincy and married his wife, Kay. They relocated to Keokuk, Iowa for work and soon started a family.

Ken was a metal and wood pattern maker. Learning his trade in Quincy, the company relocated him to Keokuk, Iowa. He came to Pekin in 1964 for employment with Pekin Patterns. Opportunity for work at a larger company led Ken to Caterpillar in Mapleton. After working at Caterpillar for several years Ken decided to be his own boss and opened a wood and metal pattern making shop called Apex Patterns. Ken finally retired when he was 80 years of age.

Work was always important to him. When he was not utilizing his skills as a pattern maker, Ken was finding other challenges. He owned and managed apartment complexes and rental houses. He helped build and design three homes in the Pekin area. Ken also constructed beautiful furniture pieces out of wood. If something were broken you could rely on Ken to figure out how to fix it. Ken’s drive, knowledge and work ethic is something he handed down to his children. His community involvement included the annual 4th of July fireworks displays, building bluebird houses for benefits and helping beautify and maintain his neighborhood.

Ken’ s Catholic faith was important to him. As a child he would attend daily mass and serve as an altar server. He talked about enjoying the masses being said in Latin. A member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, he attended Mass weekly. Ken helped others with the wood cross on the altar and the pews when the new Saint Joseph Church was built in the mid ‘sixties. Early on he also served as an usher for Saturday night masses.

Ken looked forward to the holidays because he knew the celebration would be at his home. He enjoyed seeing his family but most of all were his grandchildren and great grandchildren. They brought smiles to his face.

His funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. Father Michael Andrejek will be the celebrant. Visitation will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will follow in Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Air Force and Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes and Crematory in Pekin.

In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 303 South 7th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or to Shriners Hospital for Children, 4400 Clayton Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110.

The family would like to thank Dr. Diane Krall and the office staff at Tremont Medical Center, the nurses and staff at Holly Brook in Pekin, the staff on 4 North at Carle Health Pekin Hospital and at Richard Owens Hospice Home for providing him with dignity and comfort in his Alzheimer’s journey.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com.