Greta Marlene Peterson

Rev. Greta “Marlene” (Major) Peterson, 86, of New Philadelphia, passed away on October 17, 2017, after a three-month illness, while in the excellent and loving care of the Truman House staff of Community Hospice at New Philadelphia.

A daughter of the late Francis “Frank” M. and Lucille E. (Laird) Major, Marlene was born in New Philadelphia on July 21, 1931. In 1949, Marlene graduated from New Philadelphia High School, and two years later enrolled in Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio. She was elected to “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities,” worked two summers for the Inner City Protestant Parish in Cleveland, and earned a BA in Psychology and Religion in 1956.

By 1960, she had earned a Master of Religious Education degree from Boston University School of Theology in Boston, MA. While there, she also met and married Rev. Robert L. Peterson, and together they had four children and served United Methodist churches in Wooster and Boardman, Ohio; and Brooklyn and Patchogue, New York.

In 1973, Marlene returned to this area as a Director of Christian Education for the First United Methodist Church of Dover, and later, the First United Methodist Church of Akron. In 1985, at age 54, she returned to school at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, while serving three country churches in Oceola, Lemmert and Plankton, Ohio. In 1987, she received the Master of Divinity degree and was ordained an elder in the United Methodist Church. After graduation, she worked in full-time ministry for churches in Centerburg, Brimfield and Canton, Ohio.

Marlene traveled to many countries, including a Bishop’s trip to represent United Theological Seminary in Zimbabwe, Nairobi and Liberia, Africa; and later represented the Board of Global Ministries on a Peace trip to Russia.

Of her many accomplishments, she was perhaps most proud of her Singles Ministry, serving at United Methodist Churches in Akron, Canton, and First United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia, where she was also an associate pastor. Marlene touched the lives of hundreds of singles, creating a Divorce Recovery program of counseling, teaching and providing social opportunities for those divorced, separated, widowed or never married. It was her passion to help singles be happy as singles.

Marlene is survived by her beloved family: sister, Barbara (James) Reese of New Philadelphia; children, Beth Peterson of New Philadelphia, Bob Peterson of San Rafael, CA, Sue (Jose) Gomez-Benito of Simi Valley, CA, John (Karen) Peterson of Brighton, MI; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

An 11 AM memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at First United Methodist Church at New Philadelphia, with Pastors James Humphrey and Jon Long officiating, and a reception to follow. Family will greet guests an hour beforehand at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to The First United Methodist Church, 201 W. High Ave., Otterbein United Methodist Church, 156 Beaver Avenue NE, or Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Ave. SW, all of New Philadelphia, OH 44663.