Janet Peters (Briney)

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Janet Peters (Briney) passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 18, 2018, after an extended battle with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Janet was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, on July 1st, 1936. A 1954 graduate of Benton Harbor High School, she earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education at Western Michigan University, following in the footsteps of her mother by becoming a school teacher. During a career that spanned 4 decades, she began her career teaching second grade at Sister Lakes Elementary, then taught reading at Benton Harbor High School, developing a special technique to help those with dyslexia and other learning disorders. She later taught in several other grades and settings in Benton Harbor, before becoming a Montessori teacher at Pipestone Preschool, retiring in 1995. Her mission was to build a love for learning in her students, and many still have fond memories of their time in her classroom, decades later.

In 1958, Janet married Harold Peters, of Sister Lakes, Michigan, where they lived for many years before moving to Bridgman, Michigan. Together, they raised two sons, Glenn and Earl, and served as “adopted” parents to countless exchange students, neighborhood kids, and friends over the years. Her home was always open to those in need, and she was quick to offer assistance when someone needed help. Janet also loved animals. For her, home was never really home without a dog, and one of her favorite activities in the winter was watching the many birds and squirrels that would grace the bird feeders outside her windows.

Her favorite place was the family cottage in Canada, where she would spend entire summers fishing, exploring, reading, working on crafts, berry picking, and spending time with friends. It wasn’t unusual to see her sitting on the deck with a book in hand and a squirrel or chipmunk perched on her knee, eating the sunflower seeds she kept ready at hand for them.

Janet was an active member of Peace Temple United Methodist Church in Benton Harbor for most of her life, and later transferred to Faith United Methodist Church in Bridgman. She also took part in many work camps and other mission projects arranged through the church, traveling to places like John’s Island, South Carolina, L’Anse, Michigan, and Pine Ridge, South Dakota to do one of the things she loved the most: helping others. She was also very active volunteer in her community, serving with the Lions Club, assisting in Rick’s Café at Venetian Festival, leading aqua aerobics at the Bridgman pool, and volunteering with countless other organizations and events.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Evelyn Briney, and her husband, Harold Peters. She is survived by two sons, Glenn Peters of Fife Lake, MI, and Earl (Krisztina) Peters of Sister Lakes, MI, a brother, Richard (Patricia) Briney of Las Vegas, NV, and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of Janet’s life will be held this spring; an announcement will be published in the Herald-Palladium and through social media with additional details once they are finalized.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.

Posted On: Thursday, December 27, 2018 11:51 AM