Larry L. Peterson Sr., 81, of Hamlet, IN, passed away after a short battle with cancer on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, at Porter Regional Hospital.
Larry was born July 13, 1937, in Detroit, MI, to Landon E. and Lorraine F. (Kern) Peterson. He was raised by his paternal grandmother, Linda Ehmke Stockdale.
On Nov. 2, 1956, in Kingsford Heights, IN, he married Janet R. Herbst, who survives. Also surviving are his beloved daughter, Sue L. Downs of Hamlet; daughter-in-law, Susan L. Peterson of LaPorte, IN; 7 grandchildren, Michael L. Peterson of Michigan City, IN, Gregory P. (Kristi) Downs of LaPorte, IN, Nathan A. (Callie) Peterson of Michigan City, IN, and V. Clayton Downs, Heather Weldy, Ronald Downs, and Matthew Downs; 4 great-grandchildren, Lucas Peterson, Brant Downs, Noah Downs, and Oliver Peterson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 sons, Larry L. Peterson Jr. and James R. Peterson; and one granddaughter, Jessica Lynn Peterson.
Larry was a retired purchasing expediter for National Steel Midwest Division. He was a lifelong member of 78 years at Tracy Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church. Larry loved sports and was a proud Little League Coach for Hoosier Boys Club Blackhawks Baseball Team, which won a number of county championships. Larry was the caretaker of Tracy Cemetery for nearly 50 years.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. (CST) Friday, Dec. 28, at Tracy Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Rev. David M. Albertin and Pastor Timothy Gravelyn officiating. A time of visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. (CST) Thursday, Dec. 27, at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, LaPorte, and from 10 a.m. (CST) until the service Friday at the church. Burial will follow at Tracy Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Tracy Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8705 S. 100 East, Hamlet, IN 46352.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP as well as at www.cutlercares.com.