John Peters Jr.

John Albert Peters Jr., 75, of Bertrand, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau following a long, hard-fought battle against pancreatic cancer.

The wife and family he loved so fiercely were by his side as he went to be with his heavenly father.

He was born May 4, 1938, in Sikeston, Missouri, to the late John Albert Sr. and Mabel Ann Woods Peters. He was a self-employed farmer who also farmed with his son Scott as part of JSP Farms, who set a shining example for his children and others with his integrity, hard work, loyalty and generosity. He never quit and he never gave up.

He loved his family and friends unconditionally and they in turn would have taken a bullet for him. He discovered a new love when he became a grandfather and no man ever got more joy from or loved his grandchildren more.

In addition to his love for God and his family, Jr. loved the outdoors and when he was not farming or tending to his massive garden -- from which he loved sharing every vegetable known to man with everyone he knew -- he was sitting by the pond at his cattle farm with a fishing pole and his two best buddies: his son Scott and his brother Mike. Today he is fishing in heaven with his beloved uncle, Lester Peters, and his good friends Richard McIntosh and James J. Galemore, and planting gardens with the angels.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bertrand and Gideons International.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Elnora Loretta Hodges Peters, who stood by him through every battle, every illness and every joyful occasion. Her selfless love, caring and support kept him going and gave him strength to the very end. Theirs was an eternal love.

He is also survived by a daughter, Valerie Ann Peters of St. Charles, Missouri; a son, Christopher Scott Peters and daughter-in-law Kristi Kay Peters of Bertrand; two grandchildren Austin Scott Peters of Bertrand and Dorian Paige Archie (and her husband Jason) of East Prairie, Missouri; two great-grandchildren Daegan Mark Archie and Jase Landon Hal Archie of East Prairie; three sisters, Barbara (Larry) Miller and Donna Peters of Bertrand; Dianne (Danny) Babb of Charleston, Missouri; six brothers, Mike (Janice) Peters of Charleston, Jerry (Pat) Peters of Benton, Steve (Susan) Peters of Sikeston, Rick (Christie) Peters of Arcola, Illinois, David (Carolyn) Peters and Larry Kenneth Peters of Bertrand; his mother-in-law, Loretta Hodges of Bertrand; close family friend Bea Crowley; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends, all whom he loved dearly.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two beloved sisters Betty Crook and Dorothy Elser.

Services were Friday at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.

Military graveside rites were conducted by the Missouri Military Honors Program at Dogwood Cemetery. Interment followed under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Gideons International, 905 Alexander St., Sikeston, MO 63801; or to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Online condolences may be made at mcmiklefuneralhome.com.