Melvin Leroy Peterman Obituary

Melvin Leroy Peterman attended California High School in California, MO. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Melvin Leroy Peterman.

Graduation Year	Faculty
Date of Passing	Mar 27, 2018
About	Melvin L. Peterman, 97, of California, MO passed away on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at the Moniteau Care Center in California, MO surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 22, 1920 in Rich Hill, MO the son of Joe Peterman Jr. and Clara (Hall) Peterman both of whom preceded him in death. He was a graduate of Rich Hill High School in 1938. Melvin was united in marriage on December 23, 1950 at the First Christian Church in California, Mo to Edwina (Baldwin) Peterman whom survives of the home. He graduated from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO in 1942 with a B. S. in Education Degree with a major in music and a minor in business. Melvin was a member of Kappa Delta PI (An honor fraternity). Melvin also recieved a Master of Music Degree from Northwestern University, in Evanston, IL in 1952 and an Administrator’s Certificate from the University of Missouri, in Columbia, MO in 1962. Melvin served in the Army Air Force from October of 1942 to February of 1946 and was a veteran of World War II. He worked as a public school teacher at Pleasant Gap Rural Elementary School in Bates Co. MO from 1940 – 1941, he taught Business and Music at Rockville High School in Rockville, MO from 1941 – 1942, he taught music at Rich Hill High School in Rich Hill, MO for three months in 1946, he taught Instrumental and Vocal Music from 1946 – 1973 and Vocal Music from 1973 – 1983 at California High School in California, MO. Melvin directed the high School band for community events including community parades, Moniteau County Fair openings in the arena, summer band concerts. He also directed ten community Christmas cantatas and Easter productions from 1946 -1973. He was the Choir Director for many area churches. Melvin became a member of California First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1951 and served as the Choir Director for many years and an Elder from 1953 – 2000 and was very involved in all aspects of the church. He received the Outstanding Community Service Award by the Chamber of Commerce in 1970 and 2002. Survivors include one son, Ken Peterman and his wife Tammy of Prairie Village, KS, two daughters, Barbara Gahagan and her husband John of Jefferson City, MO, Kathy Meller and her husband Mark of Lohman, MO, four grandchildren, Emily Allison and her husband Ben of Mission, KS, Claire Sutherlin and her husband J.C. of Prairie Village, KS, Cyrus Meller of Columbia, MO, Jacob Meller of Columbia, MO, and one great grandchild Margaret Grace Allison. He is preceded in death by one infant child Linda Lee Peterman, two brothers, Raymond Peterman and Paul Peterman. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 30, 2018 from 10:00 A.M. – 12 NOON with a funeral service following at 12 NOON both at the First Christian Church. Officiating will be Alan Bailey. Burial will be at the Crown Hill Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the California High School Music Department c/o the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, MO.