Kenneth Eugene Peltier, Sr. passed away Tuesday morning, July 15, 2014, at the Harrah Nursing Center. He was born January 6, 1923 in Shawnee, OK to Oliver A. and Ozetta Bourassaa Peltier. Kenneth was a very proud and humble person. He wrote his book, ‘MY DIARY OF MEMORIES’ for his family which tells many stories of special memories of his lifetime. He was very proud to obtain a copyright for this book. He attended Shawnee schools and Acme school first through 8th grade. After graduating from the 8th grade he attended Shawnee Junior and Senior high school. He participated in track and football. Ray LeCrone, his football coach, called him’ that Crazy Legged Indian! He took advantage of a NYA School to learn the welding trade at the beginning of WW2. The class met from 12 midnight until 4:00 AM. He attended the class before reporting for classes at the high school. Kaiser Shipyards needed certified welders to build ships for the US Navy. They found many certified welders to hire from the NYA schools from across the USA. Kenneth was certified and withdrew from Shawnee High School to go to California to work for Kaiser. While in California he was recruited by the Pacific Coast Professional Football League to play for the Oakland Giants. He was able to play for one year and received publicity as being the runt on the team. He wanted to serve in the Military but was told that his Draft status was 2-B Defense and could not be 1-A since he was needed more in defense than the Military. He quit his job with Kaiser, returned to Shawnee and entered the US Navy. He served on the Aircraft Carrier USS Franklin until it was hit by a Kamikaze plane. Many lives were lost and Kenneth was proud to have been one of the 704 crew members who brought the crippled ship from the coast of Japan back to the Brooklyn Shipyard. Kenneth was a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation •. He was elected to serve as Secretary of the Potawatomi Tribe during the 1980’s. He was happy to have been able to attend all the CPN Council meetings and CPN Festivals for over 40 years. He received his Indian name, Wegmanemo, which means First or Leader Wolf, during a CPN Naming Ceremony on November 30, 2008 from the CPN Tribal Chairman, John Barrett. He retired from Tinker AFB after 31 years of service in 1978 as a quality control inspector. Kenneth was a faithful member of the Star Sunday School Class at the First Christian Church for many years. He has attended the Dale Church of Christ the past few years. Kenneth married Pauline Stegall Peltier October 5, 1941 in Shawnee, OK. This union was blessed with four children Kenneth Eugene Peltier Jr, Nicki Lynn Peltier, Marsha Jane Peltier and Tanya May Peltier. Kenneth and Pauline were married for 46 wonderful years before her death in 1987. Kenneth married Lillian Hale February 9, 1990 at the Dale Church of Christ. They were happily married for over 24 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Ozetta Peltier, two sons Kenneth Eugene Peltier and Nicki Lynn Peltier. Five sisters Mildred, Ruby, Kathleen. Annetta, and Willa Lou, Three brothers Buddy, Gerald and Raymond and many other family members and friends. He is survived by his wife Lillian Peltier, daughters, Marsha (Bill) Sims, Tanya Peltier, four stepsons: John (Cathy) Hale, Rick (Cindy) Hale, Rusty (Lana) Hale and Rob (Karen) Hale. He is survived by many grandchildren: Reuben, Kanton, Kim, Billy, Vicki, Nicki, Tina, Bradley, Jeremy, Jennifer, Lindsay, Stephanie, Jeff, Jonathan, Joe, Courtney, Tacy, Jack, Kelli, Matt and many loved great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Friday, July 16th at Walker Funeral Service, 201 E. 45th St., Shawnee, OK. Visitation will be all day Thursday. Bill Sims, Bible Teacher from the Meeker Church of Christ will officiate. Burial will be at the Tecumseh Cemetery with Rocky Barrett officiating. The CPN Veterans will be in charge of the Military service. The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff of the Harrah Nursing Center for their loving and professional care of Kenneth the past year.

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