John P. Peter

        John Paul Peter, 87, of Port Charlotte, Florida died on October 23, 2023. John was born on January 29^th, 1936, in Huron County, Michigan to the late Milton S. Peter and Bessie Rae (Ellis) Peter.

        John was a graduate of Wheaton College and McCormick Seminary in Chicago and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. In addition to serving in church positions in Michigan and Ohio, John was Chief of Social Research at the H.K. Cooper Institute for research in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where his research was published in a peer reviewed medical journal. John was the President and CEO of KidsPeace Corporation in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for twenty-five years.

        John served as President of the American Association of Psychiatric Services for Children and President of the National Network for Social Work Management which awarded him with the Alexander Lifetime Achievement Award. He served on professional standards committees of the Child Welfare League of America and the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. John was a member of Lehigh Presbytery. He enjoyed many hobbies including beekeeping, saw making, gardening, bookbinding, and clock and tool collecting.

        He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judith A. Peter of Port Charlotte, Florida, his son, Gregory J. Peter, and wife, Hongjun Wang; his daughter, Katherine A. Peter; his brothers Gerald, Gene, and James Peter and sisters Patricia Glassbrook, Gayle Barnett, sister-in-law, Lynne Peter and grandson, Maxwell J. Peter.  John was preceded in death by his sister Teri and brothers Donald and Thomas Peter.

        A memorial gathering for friends and family will be held at Zinger Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly, Michigan on Saturday November 11^th, beginning at 12:30PM.  Interment will be in Valley Cemetery, Ubly, Michigan.