David Claire Peters

Thelma lived many places in southern Washington and Oregon, including Grants Pass and Klamath Falls, where she cooked her special pies for a local restaurant. During the 1950’s in Portland, she worked as a meat wrapper at the Parkrose Tops All grocery store. Thelma had two children during her first marriage, daughter Sandra and son Dennis Madarus.

She was a charter member of the Eugene Friendship Club, founded May 1, 1986, and remained active until her move to Vancouver in 1990. She enjoyed gardening, crafts and playing cards, but as an excellent cook, her light shined brightest in the kitchen. She was famous for her Czechoslovakian pastries, baked goods and everyone’s all time favorite – potato salad.

David Peters, 87, passed away July 18, 2012 in Vancouver, WA. He was one of twelve children born to Frank and Izetta Peters in Newton, Kansas in January of 1925. Dave attended Lakeview High School and joined the US Navy shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He served as an Aviation Radioman 2nd class in the South Pacific. Upon his honorable discharge, he enrolled at Oregon State University and graduated in 1952 with a degree in forestry. During his college years, he met and married Margaret Rose Marsh who predeceased him in 1955. They had one child, daughter Lorrie.

Dave was employed with the Columbia River Log Scaling and Grading Bureau for over 30 years, starting as a log scaler in Portland in the mid-1950’s. He worked his way up the ranks, retiring in the late 1980’s as the Field Operations Manager in Eugene, Oregon.

Dave and Thelma were fortunate in life to find love a second time. They were married December 15, 1957 and truly enjoyed spending over half a century by each other’s side. They would have celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this year.

They leave behind many loved ones – son Dennis (Kathryn) Madarus; daughters Sandra (Frank) Whaley, Lorrie (Nerl) Porras; grandchildren Jennifer, Penny, Kevin and Kyle; six great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Dave is also survived by three brothers – Merle, Richard and Ken (Helen) Peters.

A private interment is scheduled for Friday, August 10th at Willamette National Cemetery. Following interment, a memorial gathering for friends and family will be held at 1 pm at the family’s Royal Oaks Condominium Association’s clubhouse in Vancouver.

In lieu of flowers, condolences may be offered at the memorial or at www.youngsfuneralhome.org