Donald Peterson

Donald G. Peterson, 89, of Coopersville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 in Naples, FL. Known as "Whis" to his classmates and "Pete" to his friends, Don was the youngest of four children born to John and Susan (Easterly) Peterson of Nunica. He graduated from Coopersville High School and proudly served our country in the US Navy. Don and his high school sweetheart, Cora Kramer, eloped two days before Christmas of 1949, and enrolled at Michigan State in January of 1950. He was awarded his Bacheloré�a�a��s Degree in Accounting in 1953, and they returned to West Michigan to start a family. After two years as an auditor for Seidman & Seidman in Grand Rapids, he joined Blink Lumber in Marne, where he served as General Manager for nearly 30 years. He and Cora (and their golden retriever, Fred) then opened "Ye Olde Post Office", an antique and craft shop in downtown Coopersville, which they ran for a decade before retiring. Together, they spent several years traveling the country searching for the perfect winter residence, settling in Naples in 1990. Known for his undying love of Michigan State, Don passionately followed his beloved Spartan Basketball and Football teams until the very end. He and Cora were season ticket holders at Spartan Stadium for over 60 years, and frequently traveled long distances to see them play, most recently meeting Coach Izzo before a game in Miami, FL last year. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey, and his siblings, Doris Cox, Ward Peterson and Jack Peterson. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Cora; children Steve Peterson (Dave Hoogterp) of Grand Rapids, MI, Lynda (Harry) King of Sanibel, FL, and Cindy Peterson of Bloomfield Hills, MI; grandchildren, Christopher Peterson, Elizabeth Peterson (Landon Stelwagen), Zachary (Amy) Peterson, Alexandra King, Christopher King, and Dallas Nicholls; great-grandchildren Nevaeh, Sawyer, Owen and Wyatt, and many beloved cousins and friends. Visitation will be held Friday, January 22, 2016 from 4-7:00 pm at Throop Funeral Home, 214 Church St., Coopersville, MI. Funeral Services will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 300 E. Cleveland St., Coopersville, MI on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 11:00 am with a reception following at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Don & Cora Peterson Football Scholarship Endowment at Michigan State University (http://spartanfund.net) or Grace Lutheran Church, 300 E. Cleveland St., Coopersville, MI. An online guestbook may be signed at www.throopfh.com Throop Funeral Home Coopersville, 616-837-8161

Visitation

Friday Jan. 22nd, 2016
4:00pm to 7:00pm at Throop Funeral Home
Directions to Throop Funeral Home

Service

Saturday Jan. 23rd, 2016, 11:00am at Grace Lutheran Church
Directions to Grace Lutheran Church

Burial

at Coopersville-Polkton Twp Cemetery
Directions to Coopersville-Polkton Twp Cemetery

---