Marie Peterman

Marie Peterman, 96, passed from this life on Monday, March 23rd, at the IU Health Bloomington Hospital. She had moved to Bell Trace in the summer of 2008 in order to be near her daughter and son-in-law. It wasn't easy to talk her into the move, as she had been residing in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina for twenty five years, and had grown to love it. But it wasn't long before she fell in love with Bell Trace and Bloomington, and we were so happy to have her here. She was born on December 7, 1918, in Elkland, PA; to Earl and Viola Fowler Croft, the third of four children. Although her parents were poor (and never owned a car-imagine) they were hard working and respectable, and made certain that their children had what they needed, especially love. Marie graduated from Elkland High in 1936, with the intentions of studying to be a nurse; however she married William Shepherd the same year and although they had two children Gail and Ricky, the marriage failed. Bur during that marriage she managed to get and education to be a beautician and worked for a few years until taking opportunities in a photography studio and later as a proof-reader at the local newspaper. After several years struggling to care for two small children, she met and married James (Jim) Peterman. Bit by bit they were able to build a good home and life for themselves and the children in Corning, NY. When Jim retired in 1982 they moved to Hendersonville, NC. Ten years later he passed away and Marie stayed on until 2008. Marie was an excellent seamstress (self-taught) and made the majority of her daughters clothing, as well as her own. She loved to cook, can and bake and was very accomplished at it. Reading was also a favorite way to spend whatever spare time she could find. She also loved gardening and created a beautifully landscaped yard wherever she lived. Even her Bell Trace deck was adorned with many lovely plants and flowers, as well as a hummingbird feeder each summer. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Gaye and Richard Vine of Bloomington, as well as three grandchildren, Cameron (Yvonne) Vine of Lusby, MD, Sabrina (Michael) Hunt of Knoxville, TN and Stacia (Scott) Josephson of Wichita Falls, TX. There are also nine great-grandchildren Ricky, Jesse and Victor Vine; Taylor, Victoria "Tori", Tannah and Tyson Hunt; and Austin and Zachary Josephson. She was most proud of each and every one of them and was known to say "Who would have thought that I would have such a large and loving family from one little girl". She is preceded in death by her husband Jim in 1922, and son Ricky in 1959; as well as her parents, brother Osman(Jean) Croft; sisters Ruth (Otis) Northrup and Doris (Donald) Skinner. There children, six nieces and nephews survive- Viola Mortimer, Betty McConnell, James "Jim" Croft, Delores "Dee" Wightman, Douglas Skinner and Kim Skinner. Although she was a member of the Methodist Church most of her life, she enjoyed attending the Presbyterian Church in Bloomington with her dear friend and companion, Bruce Nelson and his daughter Nancy Nelson. Indeed, the Nelson family welcomed her into their family with open arms and much love and she felt most blessed. Thanks to the wonderful staff and residents of Bell Trace her life was truly rich and her family will always be most grateful. There will be a memorial service at Bell Trace at a later date. The family is also planning a memorial service in Corning, NY during the summer.

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Marie Peterman

December 7, 1918 - March 23, 2015