Darel L. Peterson

Darel L. Peterson peacefully passed away surrounded by those she dearly loved Saturday morning at Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph, Michigan. Friends will be received Wednesday March 6th at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road St. Joseph. Visitation will begin at l.:00 pm. Celebration of Life service begins at 2:00, officiated by Minister James Tippin. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens. ln lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice at Home or Berrien County Cancer Service. Friends may send condolences to the Guestbook at www.starks-menchinger.com. Darel was born in Benton Harbor, July 6th, l939 to the late Tom and Nora (Case) Decker. She became a beautician and worked in Stevensville and then Sister Lakes where she retired in 2002. She married the love of her life Walter W. Peterson on April 13th, 1968 in Benton Harbor. Together they built a loving home in Sister Lakes where they shared many holidays and gatherings with their family, friends and relatives. Darel’s love for her family and life was woven into all she did including food; she was an excellent cook and housekeeper. Everything was always as it should be but she toiled not, her perfectionism was just her nature. She loved spending time with her husband, especially fishing and traveling. They enjoyed their color/casino tours in the fall. She was also quite a shell raiser, her favorite places were Dewy and Virginia Beach where she loved combing the beaches, watching for dolphins and long walks on the shore. Their most recent venture was a return trip to Niagara Falls last September where they stayed in the room of their dreams overlooking the falls. Darel also loved to play cards during family get togethers. After retirement Darel and her friends formed the Spectacle Club and played at every opportunity. Her hobbies and activities also included ceramics, crocheting, gardening, canning, working puzzles, reading, wildlife watching and NASCAR. Of all her attributes, the qualities that helped build such a loving and strong foundation in her family was her exuberant child like excitement, appreciation and acceptance of all life had to offer. She would get excited about everything from their trips to sharing in birthdays, sporting and school events. She treasured her grandchildren and loved spending time with them just as they did with her. She was an incredible strength, influence and blessing to those who had the privilege of knowing her and will be dearly missed. Darel is survived by her husband of nearly 45 years, Walter Peterson; children, Deborah (David) Hodges, Bridgman, Patricia Wilds, Dowagiac, Rose (Chris) Chandler, Wendy Hall, Niles; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; siblings, Don (Deb) Decker, Kalamazoo, Donna (Doug) Schmutte, St. Joseph, Janice Reitz, St. Joseph, and Tom Decker, St. Joseph. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Nancy (Eli) Rolland, brother-in-law Dennis Reitz, son Kevin Peterson, grandson Jason Hall and great-granddaughter Skyler Hall.