Marilyn J. Peters

Marilyn June Peters, of Eaton Rapids, Mich., age 91, passed away Thursday, January 21, 2021. Marilyn was one of thirteen children. She was born May 13, 1929 in Charlotte, Mich., the daughter of Roy and Florence (Alwood) Bodell. Marilyn married Carl Peters and they raised five children. She was a long time employee at Hastay’s Greenhouse & Flower Shop in Eaton Rapids. Marilyn was known for her cooking large meals and baking for family events. There was not a time where there were not cookies, fudge or some other type of delicious sweets in the house to be enjoyed by all. She was also known for her homemade macaroni and cheese, which was coveted by all the family. Marilyn was a talented seamstress, who also enjoyed to crochet and make baby blankets for the entire family and many friends. (We wish we could really know the number of children that were wrapped in those blankets made with love.) She enjoyed traveling up north to Canada and to her brother Leonard’s cabin on Lake Gogebic to fish ,and out west to Colorado in order to visit her son, Steven and his lifelong companion Teresa. Marilyn was a life time member of Charlotte VFW Post #2406, where she and her sister, Norma Jones, enjoyed planning and preparing large meals for any event that came there. Marilyn and her sister, Norma, also played a large part in planning family reunions, which she loved. She was a country girl at heart who loved to garden and spend time outdoors. In fact, Marilyn spent most of the summer barefoot as she loved to feel the grass between her toes. Even with all of her hobbies, work and responsibilities, family was the most important thing to her. Marilyn’s love of family was never ending. Her great-grandchildren were the twinkle in her eye and her face lit up every time she was with them, they held a special place in her heart. Marilyn’s love, kindness and hardworking attitude were an example for all to follow and those traits were passed down to her family. A loving mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend, she will be deeply missed by all.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Carl Peters; daughter, Gay Ann Heintzelman; sisters, Norma Jones, Bonnie Springs, Athol Wood, Marlene Coffin and Verle Barnard; brothers, Robert Bodell, Leonard Bodell, John Bodell, Tom Bodell, Clyde Bodell and Donny Sheets. Marilyn is survived by her loving children, Irene (Greg) Meyer, Steven (Teresa Wright) Peters, Carol Peters, Michael (Julie Reddy) Peters and Joel Heintzelman; sister, Janette (Barry Wainman) Klaiss; grandchildren, Craig Heintzelman, Wendy (Scott) Whipple, Barney Meyer, Emily Meyer, Henry Meyer, Edgerton (Monica) Peters, Calach (Lindsay) Peters, Chris Peters, and Andy Peters; great-grandchildren, Lilly Whipple, Carly Whipple, Rachel Heintzelman, Jerrell Meyer, Nevia Meyer, Victoria Peters, Julian Meyer, Jovani Meyer, Audrianna Meyer, Edgerton Peters and Ivarr Peters. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, cousins, dear family members and friends.
The family would like to thank Island City Assisted Living staff for their loving care of Marilyn in her time of need.
A visitation was held on Monday, January 25, 2021, at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. Due to Covid-19, a private family service was held. Marilyn’s interment is next to her late husband, Carl, in Brickyard Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Charlotte VFW Post #2406 in memory of Marilyn. Condolences can be sent to the family at SkinnerFuneralHome.com. “We love you, Mom. You will remain in our hearts forever.”