Burton John 'BJ' Peterman, 86

Burton John “BJ” Peterman passed away on May 23, 2013, under care of Hospice Family Care in Gilbert, Ariz. He was able to stay in his own home up until a week before his death.

BJ was born on Feb. 9 1927, at the family home at the head of Whitefish Lake.

He joined the Navy as soon as he turned 17 and served on the USS Hyman DD-732 in 1945 and 1946 when they assisted in the surrender and occupation of the Japanese Islands.

After discharge, he returned to the Flathead Valley and married Marceen (Houston) Guay in March of 1948.

He worked for the Great Northern and the Burlington Northern Railroads, retiring after 44 years of service.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Henry and Bessie Peterman; sister, Belle Westwong; and son, Dennis Peterman.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marceen; daughters, Sharon Howell of Montana, and Darcy and Russ Trostad of Arizona; son, David, and Dana, of Arizona; 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

BJ helped coach sons David and Dennis in Little League and was responsible for taking the team to Canada where they brought home the first International team trophy for baseball for Whitefish.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date with interment at Glacier Memorial Gardens, Kalispell.