Duane K. Peterson

Duane King “Pete” Peterson, 90, of Elkhart, died on February 9th, 2025, following several weeks of declining health.

He was born November 23, 1934, in Mishawaka, Indiana, to Floyd and Josephine Peterson. Duane grew up in Elkhart where his first job was paper boy for The Elkhart Truth. He attended Elkhart High School, excelling in chemistry and playing the saxophone in the band. He met basketball coach Bill Miliner when he was a PE student, and was persuaded to play basketball for the Blazers. In 1952, Duane set a record that still exists today, 91 points in the Elkhart sectional, and earned All-NIC honors.

He continued his successful basketball career playing for Michigan State University and graduated in 1956 with a degree in business. For the rest of his life, he wore green nearly every day and was an avid Spartan fan. At MSU he met Barbara Brines, and they were married in 1956 and remained so until her death in 2013. He is survived by a sister, Mary Jo Fry, three children, Carrie Drews (Mike) of Elkhart, Ned Peterson of Flower Mound, Texas, and Connie Peterson of Harrisonburg, Virginia. He is also survived by grandchildren Derek (Jennifer) Drews of Granger, Erin (Jake) Courey of Grand Rapids, Annie (Tanner) Schumacher of Orange, California, Alec Peterson of Chicago, and Jenna Peterson of Springfield, Missouri, and great-grandchildren Avery and Declan Drews.

Duane was preceded in death by his parents, wife, younger sister, Kay Uline, and his beloved daughter-in-law, Lynn Peterson.

Duane lived a full life, having served in the National Guard at Fort Benning, and working for the insurance department of St. Joseph Valley Bank. He remained with the agency as the bank changed, from Midwest Commerce to NBD, and continued when it was Acordia Insurance, before retiring. Duane was extremely proud to be from Elkhart and served the community through numerous committees including the COACH committee and Tim Bringle Award Selection Committee, as a co-chair for the Elkhart Jazz Festival, President and lifelong member of Elkhart Lions Club, a board member of Elkhart General Hospital, Elkhart YMCA, Elcona Country Club, Elkhart Symphony, Bridgework Theater, and two neighborhood associations, and as a volunteer for the CARES program. He was a member of Trinity on Jackson Church and Sigma Nu Fraternity. He was inducted into the Elkhart County Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. In retirement, he was a member of the New Horizons Band and the Swinging Saxes ensemble.

Duane’s family would like to thank the staff of Brentwood Assisted Living, Elkhart, for the positive impact on his health and happiness the past two years.

Visitation will be held Thursday, February 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Hartzler Gutermuth Inman Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held the following day, Friday, February 21, at 11:00 am, Trinity on Jackson Church. Pastor Lori Grasty will officiate.

Those wishing to give a memorial gift may direct it to Midwest Museum of American Art, 429 S. Main St., Elkhart, IN 46514.

To leave the family an online condolence, please visit the funeral home website.

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