Donald T. Petering
March 21, 1938 – April 11, 2023
Donald T. Petering of Kirkwood, Missouri, past away on April 11, 2023. Don was born March 21, 1938, to Donald Carl Petering and Erna (Traugott) Petering in Muskogee Oklahoma.
Early in life, Don demonstrated a gift for music. During his high school years, he played the organ during worship at First Lutheran Church in Muskogee. After graduating from Muskogee High School in 1956, Don attended Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Illinois. In 1960 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and a minor in Organ Design. At Concordia, he met the love of his life, Carol Meyer. They were married on August 6, 1960 in New Haven, Indiana.
Don and Carol moved to St Louis immediately after their wedding where Don was called to be a teacher as well as the organist, choir master and school music director for St Paul's Lutheran Church in Des Peres, Missouri. He also began singing with and accompanying the Lutheran Hour Choir in 1961, later taking over the direction of the choir for seven years. During his years at St. Paul's, he was instrumental in building the music program at the church, as well as teaching organ, piano and art lessons.
In 1980, Don earned a Master of Arts degree in Church Music from Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois. Don designed many details in the current sanctuary of St Paul's when it was built in 1985, including the organ, the stained-glass windows, and the chancel cross. He was named Outstanding Church Musician by the Missouri Federation of Music Clubs in 1985. In 1989, he discontinued teaching for health reasons and became the Music Editor at Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, where he worked until his retirement in 2002.
In 2013, he was honored to receive the Christus Viva Award from Concordia Seminary for diligent and effective use of his gifts in support of the church and its mission. During retirement, he organized and directed the Men's Choir at St Paul's, and worked as a freelance music editor and composer, publishing several works. Don and Carol remained active members of St. Paul's Des Peres, continuing to sing in the choir and helping lead Bible study. His interests and hobbies included drawing, calligraphy, poetry, and hymn writing. Don had a tremendous sense of duty to his Lord and the Church he served. He used his gifts to glorify God and edify God's people through music and art. He will be greatly missed.
Don is survived by his wife Carol (Meyer) Petering of Kirkwood, Missouri. His son Rev. Jonathan Petering and his wife Sheri (Ribble) of Friendswood, Texas. His daughter Nancy (Petering) Pezold and her husband EJ of Waxhaw, North Carolina. Grandchildren Adam and Alex Pezold, and Abigail and Emma Petering, nieces and nephews and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Erna Petering, and his sisters Billie Olson, and Nancy Crayton.
Visitation was April 21 at Bopp Chapel, 10610 Manchester Road, Kirkwood. Funeral was April 22 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Des Peres, with Internment at St. Paul's Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St Paul's Lutheran Church or The Donald T. and Carol J. Petering Scholarship Endowment Fund at Concordia Seminary, St Louis, Missouri.