Furman T Peterman

Furman T. Peterman Spartanburg-Furman Thomas Peterman, age 83, died suddenly on January 16, 2014 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Born March 29, 1930 in Lumber City, PA, he was the youngest of seven children, son of the late Earl Clark Peterman and Martha Hipps Peterman, and predeceased by his siblings, Gen. William G. Hipps, Ruth Vazalis, Doris Ammerman, Robert Peterman, Jane Polkinghorn, and his daughter Maureen Elizabeth Menzer. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Shelvy Gardner Peterman of Spartanburg, SC, his sons Michael Peterman (Robyn) of West Chester, PA, Brian Peterman (Mary) of Berlin, NJ, and Thomas Peterman of Columbia, SC, his son-in-law Bruce Menzer, his brother Richard Earl Peterman of Curwensville, PA, and his grandchildren, Vanessa Peterman Broomfield(Glen), Katherine Menzer, and Luke Menzer. ‘Tom’ as he was known by many, and ‘Big Tom’ as he was known by others, served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict, and upon the GI Bill, graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 1959, already a husband and father. His career was in industrial sales, working many years for Huck Manufacturing, which required him to move his ever growing family from Pittsburgh, PA, to Chagrin Falls, OH, Rochester, MI, Alexandria, VA, and Waco, TX, then with Portec, Inc. in Philadelphia, PA, and Polydeck Screen Corp. in Spartanburg, SC. Tom had an acute intellect, and was a voracious reader, especially of current events, and was an avid hunter. His interest in genealogy helped in his role as the keystone of the many generations and locations of his family. He will be greatly missed. A memorial service and reception will be held at the J.M. Dunbar Funeral Home Chapel at 2pm on Sunday January 19, 2014. At a later date, to be announced, a memorial service will be held at Crown Crest Memorial Park in Clearfield, PA, which will be his final resting place. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE Washington, DC 20002; Hillsdale College, 33 E. College Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242; or the NRA 11250 Waples Mill Rd. Fairfax, VA 22030