Howard ‘Pete’ A. Peters Jr., avid gardener

Howard “Pete” A. Peters Jr., 70, of Millsboro passed away peacefully at home Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Son of the late Howard A. Peters Sr. and the late Alice Mae (Lloyd) Peters, he was born in Wilmington Jan. 19, 1950, and raised in Newark.  Pete graduated from Newark High School in 1968, and proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1969-71.  

Pete was a jack-of-all-trades, as he could fix almost anything with his hands.  He loved playing his guitar, listening to his favorite music, and reading biographies on rock ‘n’ roll artists.  He also enjoyed gardening and was known for his green thumb.  Pete was a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan (Go Birds!), and a member of American Legion Post 28.

Although music was important to him, his devotion was truly to his family - especially his granddaughter, Isabelle.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Gail Rice.  Pete is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Lisa “Alice” (Szwec) Peters; stepdaughters Jodi McElwee of Milford and Krista McElwee of Wilmington; granddaughter, Isabelle Bekeshka of Milford; son Michael A. Peters and his family of Pennsylvania; and daughters Kelley Krueger and her family of Ohio, and Michelle Peters of New York.  He is also survived by his mother-in-law who resided with him, Tatiana “Mom” Szwec; and siblings Shirley Graham of Newark, Barby Hurd and her husband Wayne of Newark, Dorothy Burritt and her husband Rick of Newark, Don Woods and his wife Ginny of Newark and Gary Peters of Pennsylvania, in addition to several nieces and nephews.  

A visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 17, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro. The funeral service will begin at 11:30 a.m.  Interment will follow at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro. Social distancing protocol will be observed and masks are mandatory for all attending services.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Howard’s name to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 3551 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140, or Grass Roots Dog Rescue, PO Box 422, Milton, DE 19968. 

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Tunnell Cancer Center and DE Hospice, especially Nurse Jenna D.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.