In Memory

Wilfred Peltier - Class Of 1963

Obituary for Wilfred 'Willy' Peltier
Willy (Wilfred) John Peltier, 69, of Pratt, died Tuesday, January 20, 2015 at South Wind Hospice at Pratt, KS.
He was born on December 18, 1945 in Concordia, KS, the only child of John Mitchell Peltier and Addie Philomena (Comeau) Peltier.
He attended Notre Dame Grade and High School in Concordia, KS, graduating the spring of 1963 at the age of 17. He graduated from St. Benedict’s College (Benedictine College) in the spring of 1967, majoring in Psychology and a minor in Biology and Education. While completing his teaching certification, he taught Jr. /Sr. high school in Effingham, KS. Upon graduation he made the decision to serve the Lord one year through Extension Volunteers, with gratitude of the education he received. His year of service was in Galveston, TX, teaching 1st – 6th grade underprivileged youth, and counseling young adults three nights a week at the local University Catholic Newman Center. His next teaching job was at Dighton, KS, teaching Biology and Science for 2 years. While teaching in Dighton he began his Masters at Gunnison, CO and Flagstaff, AZ Universities throughout the summers. His Masters in High School Counseling was completed at Fort Hays University, Hays, KS, in the spring of 1972. This is where he met his future wife, Cecilia Suzann (Giebler) Peltier. They married December 23, 1972, after he began a new teaching job in Haven, KS, as a High School Counselor, while also teaching psychology, Advanced Biology, and Sociology. After 5 years of teaching he pursued a new career as a Homebuilder in Reno County and in partnership with a franchise with Wasau Homes. Because interest rates reached a height beyond 13%, he left homebuilding to be hired as a Business Consultant in commercial real estate for 2 years before entering Wichita State University study program for Physicians Assistants in 1982. He graduated with a 2nd Master’s in 1984. He worked as a Physician Assistant and Orthopedic Surgeon Assistant for several years in Salina, KS. When the surgeon retired he was offered the job as Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Wesleyan University in Salina, KS for 4 years. Missing work in the medical field, he accepted a position in Pratt, KS as a Physician Assistant in Emergency Room Care at Pratt Regional Medical Center. He held this position in ER care for 24 years, retiring March of 2014. While working 24 years as a PA, he developed a new business, Deer Run Properties, rentals, and storage unit rentals. Upon his death, this business will continue to be operated by family.
In 2002-2008 he served on Planning and Zoning Commission, Pratt, KS and was elected as a city Commissioner of Pratt in 2008-2011. He was also a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus, Pratt, KS.
He is survived by his wife, Cecilia Suzann (Giebler) Peltier; daughter, Angela Ballentine; daughter, Karen Parkhurst, husband Bill; son, John Peltier, wife Diane; son, Brandon, wife Brigid. He has 6 grandchildren, Traik Peltier, Gavin Evans, Farrah Evans, Dakota Parkhurst, Jenaka Parkhurst, and Anniston Parkhurst.
Visitation will be on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Monday from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt, KS 67124. Vigil will be at 7:00 p.m., Monday, January 26th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pratt, KS. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pratt, with Rev. Floyd McKinney presiding.
Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Pratt, KS. 
Memorials may be made to the Pratt Regional Medical Center or South Wind Hospice in care of the mortuary. 
He had a great love for family; humankind; and community.