Charlotte ‘Charlie’ R. Peters, age 97, of Merrill, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at Bell Tower Residence in Merrill, while under the care of her family and Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice Services.  She was born on January 4, 1926, to the late Howard and Lessee (Pierce) Sullivan in Thomasville, NC.  Charlotte attended, graduated and was the valedictorian at her high school in Thomasville, NC.  She met the love of her life, Oscar ‘Pete’ Peters and the two lovingly exchanged marriage vows on September 29, 1945, in Washington D.C.  Sadly, he preceded her in death on September 9, 1991.  Charlotte grew up in Thomasville, NC, then moved to Merrill after marrying Oscar where they started a dairy farm just north of town.  There they enjoyed the simple life while raising their young family.  She always had a thirst for knowledge and challenges, she then designed their stick built home on Monroe St where they moved after selling the farm.  When they moved into town she then went to work at General Telephone and finished her working life as a rural mail carrier. She enjoyed the outdoors, whether it was at their shack in Minocqua or canoeing on a small lake.  Charlotte loved to travel and made numerous trips across the United States and overseas, as well as various cruises.  She would often visit North Carolina just in time to see the Dogwood flowers in bloom.  Charlotte was truly a “southern bell” with a kind and helpful heart.  She always let the daisy’s grow wild in the back yard and enjoyed all of nature’s beauty in the Springtime. She was a social butterfly and would look forward to her many coffee clutches.  She was very active in the community, she loved to repurpose things, including old houses to rental units.  Charlotte was involved in the Merrill Concert Association, T.B. Scott Library, and was a very active and prominent long-time member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Merrill.  She will be sadly missed. “May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

Charlotte is survived by her son: Oscar Theodore ‘Ted’ (Tracy Cohn) Peters of Carpentaria, CA, daughter: Tricia (Brian) Heller of Irma, WI, grandchildren: Becky (Kyle Ames) Heller of Merrill, with their children: Jaxson, Harper, Alexis, and Ross (Andrea) Heller of Merrill, WI, with their son: Prestin, as well as a few dear nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents, husband: Oscar ‘Pete’ ‘Ozzie’ Peters, 3 stillborn infants and brother: Jack (Betty) Sullivan.

The memorial service for Charlotte will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023, at 11:00am at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Merrill.  Pastor Jess Wakefield will officiate.  Visitation will be held that same day from 9:00am until the time of the service, also at the church.  Burial of her cremated remains will take place at a later date at Chat Cemetery in the town of Birch. The service will be recorded for those unable to attend and will be available for viewing under her obituary on the funeral home website. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Charlotte’s name be made to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Bell Tower Activity Fund, or a charity of your choice. Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.