May 31, 1935-March 26, 2024
John Allan Peters, 88, passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at his home in Ivins, Utah. John was born May 31, 1935, in Provo, Utah, to Eldred Hardy “Pete” Peters and Inez Clayson Peters. John married Pearl Elaine Henline July 11, 1958, in the Logan Utah Temple.
John spent his younger years in Brigham City, Utah, enjoying his first job as a crossing guard for school children. He moved to Payson, Uta,h during high school and thereafter was claimed a class member of both the Box Elder Bees and Payson Lions. As a teenager, John worked alongside his father at the lumber yard for 25 cents an hour. John’s greatest passion was baseball and he played whenever he could. During high school, John was nicknamed Salty and it forever remained. As an adult, John coordinated the church softball team for the Buena Park California ward from 1964-78 and even qualified for the All-Church Tournament in SLC. Years later John reunited original teammates for the Huntsman Senior Games coining the team’s name “Salty’s Dogs.” John also bowled in the Senior Games for many years with his wife Pearl.
John met his sweetheart Pearl Henline in 1953 during his senior year. Pearl waited patiently for five years while John attended BYU and served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. John served in the Argentine Mission from October 1955 to May 1958. John was one of the first four missionaries in Chile opening the Vina del Mar area. He loved the people, and it seemed as though they couldn’t wait to be a part of the Lord’s kingdom. John cherished his mission and he and Pearl returned 30 years later. John has a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and The plan of salvation. John taught early morning seminary for years in the Cypress California Stake. John served in the baptistry of the St. George Temple and served in the Spanish-speaking ward.
After graduating from BYU in 1960 John wanted a career that he would love. Unable to find a teaching job in Utah, John accepted an interview in Southern California, promising Pearl’s father that he would only have her away for one year. John loved teaching, coaching baseball and being a lifeguard. For over 30 years John shared his love of Spanish and love of the game with thousands of youths.
John is survived by his wife Pearl, Ivins, Utah; his children Jane Guthrie (Randy), Monument, Colorado; Annette Peters, Reno, Nevada; Paul Peters (Rabecca) Oceanside, California; and Pamela Munsterman, Ivins, Utah; sister Linda Evans (Clair) Boise, Idaho; 18 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. John is preceded in death by his son Alvie John Peters, parents Eldred and Inez Peters, in-laws Alive and Clara Henline, brother Gordon Clayson Peters and son-in-law David Ralph Munsterman.
Funeral services will be Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Spilsbury Mortuary 110 S. Bluff St, St. George utah. Friends may call and the viewing will begin at noon, one hour prior to the funeral.
Friends and family who are unable to attend are invited to click here to view the services online.
Interment will take place Friday, April 5, at 1 p.m. at Payson City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to click here to sign John’s online guest book.