Timothy "Tim" L. Peter

IN MEMORY OF: Timothy “Tim” L. Peter Serving Location: CRAIN PLEASANT GROVE-MURDALE FUNERAL HOME 31 Memorial Drive, Murphysboro, Illinois Timothy “Tim” L. Peter, age 78, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. A devoted husband, father, Pawpaw, brother, uncle, friend, educator, and son, Tim lived an impactfully fulfilled life. He was born July 2, 1946, in Logansport, Indiana to Marilyn (Leming) and Lewis Peter. A 1964 graduate of Oakwood Township High School (Oakwood, IL) and then a lifelong Saluki, Tim graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1970. He completed a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in English. He was an avid SIU alumni supporter and season ticket holder of football and men’s basketball for many years. Tim married Vicki (Henegar) Peter on August 17, 1984, in Buckley, IL. The yin-to-his-yang, they recently celebrated 40 years of marriage in 2024. Together, they have one daughter, Kaitlyn Peter Hamilton of St. Louis, MO. Although some (including Tim) would say he never actually left high school… For 33 years, Tim taught English, world literature, speech, debate, and creative writing at Murphysboro High School in Murphysboro, IL – to him, a career that gave back as much as he gave. He was once quoted stating: “Education can be incredibly dull, or it can be fun. We can make the choice between the two so long as we remember there is a choice. I try to season it with humor and imagination.” Beloved, respected, and so many students’ “favorite teacher”, he repeatedly won Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Decade awards and superlatives. He truly saw and loved kids for exactly who they were. He directed plays, sponsored award-winning speech teams, served as various class sponsors, and worked at the score table for numerous sports. He was a leader and advocate for his present and future educators, serving as Representative to the State of Illinois Education Association, and Murphysboro Education Association (MEA) Union President, where he chaired the negotiations committee leading contract negotiations – always for the greater good of faculty and doing the right thing for students and public education. Additionally, teaching afforded him summers to spend with his “greatest joy”, Kaitlyn. An abundance of memories made together for 22 summers. Every day was a new adventure, from lake days to hiking at Giant City State Park (and not a single meal had at home). Tim retired from teaching in 2003. Since retiring, Tim’s activities and hobbies included substitute teaching, fishing, reading, bowling, traveling, exercising, and time with his loved ones and friends (“Nothing I don’t want to do” he once said). An intellect, humble, and generous, Tim will be missed for his story-telling and concise wisdom, for his imagination and soft heart: vying for good. The world was his stage. He had the gift of captivating both an audience and one’s single attention with his words, expressions, and presence. A teacher through and through. Tim is survived by his wife, Vicki Peter of Murphysboro, IL; daughter, Kaitlyn Peter Hamilton, son-in-law, Eric Hamilton, and granddaughter, Mina Hamilton of St. Louis, MO; sisters, Carla Kranz of Montgomery, IL, and Melodie Sue (Steve) Wood of Sadorus, IL; brother-in-law, Todd Henegar, and sister-in-law, Melody Henegar of Thomasboro, IL; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. All are invited to honor his life and legacy at 17th Street Warehouse, 214 N. 17th Street in Murphysboro, IL on September 13, 2025, between 4-7PM (open house). Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Timothy "Tim" L. Peter

July 2, 1946 - July 1, 2025