Obituary: M. Earl Peltz, Jr.

M. Earl Peltz, Jr. 1922 ~ 2006 M. Earl Peltz, Jr. 83, former resident of Utah, died Tuesday, April 11, 2006. Earl was born August 10, 1922 in Springfield Missouri. He graduated from high school as valedictorian in Boise, Idaho. In 1941, Earl entered officer's training school and served in the Army Air Corps, achieving rank of 1st lieutenant. While stationed in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1943, he met and married Margaret Green. Trained to pilot B-17's, Earl transferred to bombardier training before serving in Europe with the 8th Air Force, 92nd Bomber Squadron stationed in Bury-Saint-Edmunds, England. After the war he returned to Salt Lake and graduated from the University of Utah, earning a BA in Education. He received his Masters Degree in Education from San Jose State University and worked towards his Doctorate in Education at Stanford University. He was a skilled writer, woodworker, artist, and a gifted educator. He worked as a dedicated teacher and principal for 40 years in San Jose, California. A great storyteller, he never tired of hearing (or telling) another good joke! His sense of humor endured through many difficult times, especially as Alzheimer's disease entered his life in recent years. A long-time member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he was sealed with his family in the Salt Lake Temple. He will be missed by his many friends in both Utah and California. He is remembered as a wonderful dad by his four children: son Richard Earl of Palo Cedro, California; son Stephen Karl of San Jose; daughter Mary-Lynne Larson of San Jose; and daughter Susan Johnson of San Jose. He was greatly loved by his grandchildren Eric, Brian, Scott, Caroline, Nathaniel, Cortland, Austin and Laura. He was a proud great-grandfather of Hannah, William and Lucy. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, April 18, at 11:00 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Utah. Donations in his memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 6th floor, New York, NY 10001. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinfamilymortuary.com