Michael James Peterson passed away on September 2, 2025, at the age of 74. He was preceded in death by his parents William Peterson and Rosemary (Osborn) Peterson, brother Paul Joseph, nephew John Daniel, and his mother-in-law Marjorie Kaiman. He was the devoted spouse of Kathleen Kaiman; beloved father of Meghan (Kerry) Steach and Adrian (Meghan); beloved stepfather of Daniel Roy (Jennifer) and Zachary Roy (Suzanne Volpe); and cherished grandfather of Palmer and Connor Steach, William and Lydia Peterson, Olivia and Gabby Roy, and Timothy Roy. 

Michael is survived by seven siblings: Bill (Elaine Mink), Sara (Mark Meltzer), Alice (Paul Munk), David (Sandy), Mary Rose (Charles George), Dominic (Eileen), and Bernard (Annette). He is also survived by his aunts Geraldine and Mary Frances, his uncle Gerald, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, his former spouse Maura Nagle, and his sister-in-law Gee Kaiman. 

Michael grew up in a loving, faith-filled home on the Peterson family farm in Loretto, Kentucky. He attended Holy Cross Seminary on the campus of the University of Notre Dame for three years before graduating from St. Joseph’s Prep in Bardstown, Kentucky. As an undergraduate at St. Louis University, he earned a degree in psychology and became a Vietnam War conscientious objector. For his alternative

service, he worked with Monsignor John Shocklee at St. Bridget Parish in North St. Louis, where he tutored young people. 

In August 1974, Michael embarked with Maura on a world tour of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Peace-loving and adventuresome, he returned with stories of the flamboyant and the sinister, the good-hearted and the woebegone – encounters that contributed to his hopeful yet realistic view of the world and human nature. When he came home, he ran the dairy operation on the family farm in Loretto. 

Moving back to St. Louis in 1979, Michael found community with his college friends in Kopavi, a group of families living in the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood. He became a parishioner of St. Cronan Church, earned a master’s in education from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and taught students with behavior disorders at Therapy Consultant Associates. In 1983, he joined the faculty of Christian Brothers College High School (CBC) where he taught English, coached basketball, and moderated the student newspaper. Known as “Mr. Pete,” he retired in 2012. 

In 1988, Michael and Kathleen were married. They blended their families at their renovated home in Webster Groves. They attended their children’s sporting and performing arts events with avid interest and abounding love. Michael shifted his allegiance from the Cincinnati Reds to the Cardinals and remained a lifelong Kentucky basketball fan. His love of athletic activity brought him to weekly pickup basketball games at CBC and Christ Prince of Peace in Manchester. He also frequented the handball courts at Forest Park, where he was a perennial fixture known for his good-natured sense of fair play. 

Michael joyfully embraced grandchildren when they began to arrive 17 years ago. Always a teacher, storyteller, and joker, he cherished moments with them in the kitchen and on walks. Fluent in Beatles and Janice Joplin lyrics, he sang them as lullabies to his grandchildren (and during pickup games when he had a hot hand). His famous, secret-recipe chocolate chip cookies led a baking repertoire that included pumpkin pies and quiches. 

For those who wish to honor Michael’s memory, donations may be made to the St. Cronan Food Pantry or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. 

A celebration of life will be held at St. Cronan Church, 1202 S. Boyle Ave, St. Louis, MO, on Saturday, September 27 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m.