Melvin K. Peters

Melvin K. Peters, 84, of Uhrichsville, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Summa Health Akron Campus Hospital. He was born on February 4, 1942, in Dennison, Ohio to the late Kenneth and Edith (Visintainer) Peters.

Mel’s roots in the Uhrichsville community start from the very beginning. He graduated in 1960 from Dennison High School and then earned his bachelor’s degree in education at Ohio Northern University, where he also lettered in football and track. Mel married the love of his life, Theresa (née Patterson) Peters, on August 1, 1964. Together, they built their fulfilling and busy life filled with children, and now grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mel moved back to Uhrichsville where he taught physical education at Claymont and coached football, track and wrestling. Most notably, he became a very well-known wrestling coach for the high school, taking the team to victory many times in various championships. He also purchased and operated what is now known as Peters’ Tire and Auto, which his son carries on. He and his wife, Terri, owned and operated Eagle Nest Western Shop in Uhrichsville for many years as well. Upon retiring from coaching and teaching, Mel broadcasted area high school games on the radio.

Mel was the patriarch of his family; he taught his children how to work hard. He built a legacy that will carry on for years to come not only through his family, but through the students that he taught and coached. Mel and Terri also still have a current beef farm operation on their family farm on State Route 800. Mel enjoyed going to the sale barns in the area with Terri and purchasing cattle to add to their farm. Mel was also a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Dennison, the Uhrichsville Moose, Dennison Knights of Columbus, and Dennison American Italian Club. He was a community driven man and earned many awards, including the ONU Hall of Fame, Life Member of ONU Alumni N Men, National Wrestling Hall of Fame, 1972 Outstanding Young Man of America, and 2006 Media Service Award, and was the 1992 Twin City Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Award Winner and the Claymont Foundation, Inc. Distinguished Alumnus Award Winner of 2018. He had recently been notified that he will soon be inducted into the Claymont Athletic Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Theresa “Terri” (née Patterson) Peters; children, Scott (Amy) Peters, Matthew (Kimberly) Peters, Brett (Lisa) Peters, Chett (Bethanie) Peters, Kurtt (Jacqueline) Peters, Rhett Peters, Elliott Peters, Brittney (Josh) Rennicker and Clintt (Keisha) Peters; grandchildren, Nathaniel (Kyla) Peters, Justin Peters, Tysen (Onrin) Peters, Taylor (Kayla) Peters, Tanner (Olivia) Peters, Tucker (Joyce) Peters, Rexx (Hunter) Peters, Maxx Peters, Lexx Peters, Daxx Peters, Lane Peters, Sage (Riley) Eck, Chandler Peters, Reese (Emily) Peters, Ryker Peters, Delaney (Noah) Smith, Peyton, Kadell, Sylee and Celia Peters, Kendall, Kaill, Kellen, Kablle, Kollder, Kenllee, Kutller and Kylla Rennicker, Elly Peters and Grady Peters; 14 great-grandchildren; sister, Rebecca Gardner; and many nieces and nephews, as well as a host of friends and colleagues.

Father Jeff Coning will celebrate the funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, in Immaculate Conception Church. Mel’s family will receive callers at the Claymont High School gymnasium from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, and the time of visitation will conclude with a 3:00 p.m. memorial service. He will be interred in St. Mary’s Cemetery near Dennison on a future date. Due to the location of the visitation, in lieu of flowers, charitable contributions honoring Mel’s memory may be made to Immaculate Conception Church and the Claymont Foundation.