Daryl Lowell Peterson of Muncie, IN passed away peacefully at home at the age of 95 on Thursday, November 4, 2021. He was born on February 21, 1926 in Hoopeston, IL to the late John J. and Elva (Bird) Peterson.

Daryl grew up on a farm in Hoopeston, IL in Vermilion County and had a younger brother and two sisters. Hoopeston was laid out in 1871. It was named for Thomas Hoopes, one of the men who offered land for the crossing of two railroads: the Lafayette, Bloomington and Western Railroad and the Chicago, Danville and Vincennes Railroad. The two railroads separated the town into four sections. The latter railroad still exists and is now operated jointly by CSX Transportation and Union Pacific Railroad.

A true patriot, Daryl loved his country, serving in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946. He was allowed to graduate from John Greer High School in Hoopeston (a class of 21 students) even after being drafted into the Navy. He served his duty in Great Lakes, Naval Air Station, Grosse, IL, MI and Bunker Hill Air Force Base (now Grissom U.S. Air Station) in Peru, IN.

He was married in Peru, IN to Dorothy L. Evans in the chapel of The Methodist Church and returned to Hoopeston, IL to work on his uncle's farm. He had an opportunity to join and be trained as a telegraph operator in 1947 with the Nickel Plate Fast Express Railroad. He then moved to Muncie with his wife and two children in 1948. He spent 18 months in Muncie in that Post before centralized traffic control came into effect and fewer telegraphers were used. He then joined Warner Gear Automotive in November of 1949, working as tool follow-up, Capital Equipment Coordinator, and buyer. Daryl retired from Warner Gear after 41 loyal years in January 1991.

Daryl thrived on talking about baseball and how the Cubs and Cincinnati Reds were handling the current season. How glorious it was when the Cubs won the 2016 World Series. He loved telling jokes to family and friends, and boy did he have a memory for jokes. He was still telling jokes up to his passing. With his easy-going personality, Daryl made friends everywhere, consequently a simple trip to the store took hours when he ran into someone he knew or made a new friend.

Daryl had a talent for writing poems and was prolific in that endeavor. In 2015 he published "The Symphony of Life," a sample collection of poems he had written over 50 years, published by Author House. It still is being sold to the family's delight. There are many additional poems that Daryl had written but never published. Maybe someday volume two will hit the shelves. He enjoyed writing every one of them, and they are keepsakes for many to this day.

Daryl was a past Worthy Patron of Muncie Chapter 104, order of the Eastern Star, and was Past Watchman of Shepherd of White Shrine 14, order of White Shrine of Jerusalem. He was a past member of the Scottish Rite in Indianapolis. He also worked for many years for Hazelwood Christian Church as groundskeeper as a second job, but it was really his way of giving back. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason.

Daryl is survived by his son, Dale L. Peterson and his wife Jennifer of Keller, TX; 4 grandchildren, Troy A. Peterson and his wife, Michelle of Canton, GA, Christina L. Buce and her husband, Brad of Keller, TX, Kevin Ritcheson and his wife, Janie of Buford, GA, and Angela Griggs and her husband, Anthony of Buford, GA; 7 great grandchildren; and sisters, Rosalie Seymour of Atlanta, IL and Pauline P. Winston of Marysville, IL.

Daryl was preceded in death by his parents, John J. and Elva (Bird) Peterson; a brother, Charles Peterson; his daughter, Donna (Peterson) Bell; and partner of over 35 years, Betty Martin.

Private services were held for the family. Daryl wants to be remembered as he was when he was alive. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions may be made to Animal Rescue Fund, 1209 W. Riggin Road, Muncie, IN 47304. Please visit https://www.munciearf.com/ for more information.

COVID-19 Limitations: No restrictions at Garden View Funeral Home or Gardens of Memory Cemetery at this time, effective July 1, 2021. Thank you for your previous cooperation and patience.

On that Final Day

By Daryl L. Peterson

Did you ever stop to wonder,

What you would do on that day

When the Lord comes to you and says,

It is time to come his way.

Your life would flash before you,

Not much fun

Because all you could think about,

Are the things you left undone.

Now you must move forward,

At much slower pace

Knowing in your heart,

You ran a real good race.

Now the time has come to say farewell

To family and friends

And be hopeful that in the hereafter,

We may all meet again.