Kenneth S. Peter

Kenneth Saunders Peter, 85, Skidmore, MO, passed away Thursday morning, March 15, 2012, at the St. Francis Hospital in Maryville, MO.


He was born on the farm northeast of Skidmore, MO to Eldridge “Ell” and Susa (Saunders) Peter on June 25, 1926. While attending Peace and Harmony Country School, Kenneth helped his elderly father by working the horses in the fields tending the crops and by carrying water in jugs on his horse to the threshing crew.


Kenneth’s farming career spanned from working horses as a young boy to operating modern tractors on to operating the Caterpillar Bulldozer and the Bueyrus Erie Dragline equipment. As a young boy he worked for Culp Construction Company doing terraces and land improvement


In l947, Kenneth married Fanny Belle Long of Quitman, MO. Her father, “Ollie” Long was in the Moila Mounted Patrol and Kenneth helped him with his horses in the Parades. They purchased the Peter homeplace in l952, where they lived and operated the Peter Construction Company for many years.


Kenneth’s construction work has included building roads, bridges, lagoons, drainage ditches, terraces, structures, ponds, hoisting, etc. operating a bulldozer, dragline and other heavy equipment.


He had many interests and hobbies including the restoration of a 1927 Rumley tractor. He enjoyed making historical Replicas which included: both the “old” and “now” town of Skidmore, a sawmill, old tractors, farm wagons, a barn, small 1927 Rumley and many other wooden Replicas.


Other interests were his ’26 Model A Ford, exotic animals, and his vegetable garden.


Kenneth was devoted to his family and enjoyed being involved in community activities. Over the years, he was past president of District 11 Missouri Land Improvement Contractors, served as Committeeman of Monroe Township of the Republican Party, Cub Master for Skidmore Cub Pack 68, president of the Skidmore Roping Club and the Town & Country Saddle Club, Lions Club, Chairman of the Skidmore Punkin’ Show, Past Worshipful Master of the Skidmore Masons #511, past president of the Moila Temple Mounted Patrol, and as a member of the Skidmore United Methodist Church, served as a Board Member. He put his heart and soul in making the rough design and plans for the new Skidmore United Methodist Church and donated his construction equipment and labor in the project Until just recently, he helped deliver “Meals on Wheels” from Maitland to Skidmore area.


Preceding him in death; parents, brother, Robert (Maxine) Forrest Peter (1961)


Survivors include his wife, Fanny Belle; two sons, Steven Wayne Peter, Civil Engineer with St. Joseph Herzog, Camden Point, MO and Donald (Jessie) Allen Peter (DVM), Humiston, OR; two granddaughters, Melissa Peter and Mikayla Peter, Gower, MO; one grandson, Joshuah (Meghan) Peter (Esq.); two great grandchildren, Kyle and Kameron; also, two step-grandchildren, Ashley (Kurtis) Strzelewicz and Jamie Simmons, OR; and six step-great grandchildren.


Visitation is from 5-7:00 PM Saturday, March 17, 2012 at the Bram-Danfelt Funeral Home, Maryville, MO. Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Sunday, March 18, 2012 at the Skidmore United Methodist Church, Skidmore, MO, Rev. Don Barnett will be the minister. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery, Skidmore, MO. A Masonic service will be held following the visitation at 7:00 PM Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Skidmore United Methodist Church, Skidmore, MO

Arrangements: Bram-Danfelt Funeral Home, Maryville, MO. For online condolences and obituary, visit www.bramfuneralhome.com ,