Cecil A. Peterman

Cecil A. Peterman, 93, of Onaway, died Sunday, July 29, 2018 at the Brook of Cheboygan. Born on October 14, 1924 in Onaway, Cecil was the son of Arthur D. and Lydia Belle (Wellesley) Peterman. Blessed with nearly 60 years of marriage, Cecil married Olive Mae Schroeder in Onaway June 10, 1946. Olive preceded Cecil in death February 18, 2006.

A proud veteran, Cecil served in the U.S. Army during World War II receiving four battle stars for combat in Europe. He was a lifetime member of the Onaway Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5857 always giving his time to post activities.  From marching in parades, funeral detail and chicken barbecues, Cecil could be counted on to help. Strong in his Christian faith, Cecil was a longtime member of the Onaway United Methodist Church.

A lifelong resident of Onaway, Cecil worked for Booth’s Body Shop as a mechanic and auto body technician as well as being a farmer. Cecil raised cattle and pigs, baled hay and always had an enormous garden. When he wasn’t at the body shop or farming, Cecil was working in the woods or running his sawmill.  Mechanically gifted, he was able to repair and build anything mechanical and was an excellent carpenter as well.

Cecil enjoyed hunting deer and rabbits, fishing, and camping. He and Olive enjoyed their music, playing fiddle, guitar, and banjo at the Fiddlers’ Jamboree. He loved the town of Onaway and enjoyed visiting with his friends at the VFW Post and at Wood Winds where he was a regular.  Cecil was a quiet humble man who worked hard, loved his family and his country, and was happy and content with his life.  He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.

Surviving

Cecil are his daughters, Darcie (Larry) Koronka of Linden and Rosalie (Scott) MacGregor of Onaway; sons, Jeffrey (Jenny) of Sault Ste. Marie, and Michael (Sandra), Carl (Leona), William (Beverly), Walter (Tracy), Ronald (Patricia), all of Onaway; 23 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren; as well as his brother, Clifton (Pauline) of Onaway; sister-in-law, Eliza Jane Peterman of Grand Rapids;  brother-in-law, Jetre (Ann) Cope of Onaway; and many nieces and nephews.

Cecil was preceded in death by his wife, Olive; a great-grandson, Matthew Peterman; brothers, Lyle and Dale; and a sister, Alice Cope.

Visitation was at the Chagnon Funeral Home Wednesday, August 1, from 4–8 p.m. followed by the funeral service and military honors at the United Methodist Church today (Thursday, August 2) at 11 a.m.  The Rev. Yoo Jin Kim will officiate. Cecil’s final resting place will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in Onaway. Those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a donation in memory of Cecil to Onaway VFW Post 5857 or to McLaren Home Care & Hospice, McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation, 360 Connable Ave., Suite 3, Petoskey, MI 49770.