Antoinette Peters

Antoinette "Toni" Peters passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on June 26, 2025. She was 83 years old.

Born on April 13, 1942, in Alpena, Michigan, Toni was the eldest of four daughters to Julia (Wilemski) Gierszewski and her husband. Her family moved to Detroit when she was a child, where she attended St. Stanislaus Catholic High School, graduating in 1960. Soon after, in 1961, she married her sweetheart, James “Jim” Peters.

In 1967, Toni and Jim embarked on a new chapter, moving north to their forever-home in Mancelona, where they raised four children: James, Julia, Patricia, and Anthony. Toni worked for many years for Attorney Earl Langlois in Mancelona and then worked for Robert Kievit in both Kalkaska and Traverse City for Corporate Title and Escrow until she retired at age 52 so that she and Jim could spend more time traveling.

For many years, Toni and Jim enjoyed their winters as snowbirds, making New Port Richey, Florida, their second home. They explored the country by car and RV, and their adventurous spirit led them on numerous cruises to beautiful locations. To their delight, these travels were often shared with their children, grandchildren, siblings, and friends, creating a lifetime of shared memories.

Toni's true haven, however, was the RVB Hunting Lodge on Lake Augusta, where she loved to catch perch and listen to the serene calls of the loons alongside the love of her life.  Beyond family life and travel, Toni was a lifelong lover of cards, often found around a table sharing laughter and friendly competition. Her decades-long girlfriends will miss her dearly, and her youngest sister, Vivian, will forever cherish the joyful memories made during their many adventures at the casinos.

Affectionately known as "Babu" to her family, Toni was a talented crocheter. When she wasn't playing cards or cheering on her children and grandchildren at their activities, she meticulously crafted beautiful blankets and afghans, ensuring every grand- and great-grandchild had a cherished, handmade piece to call their own.

Toni was preceded in death by her sister Anna Mary (Jack) Kietzke, her son James (Staci) Peters Jr., her daughter Patricia Anthony, and her husband of over 60 years, James Peters.

She is survived by her sisters Jane (Kenneth) Bennett and Vivian (Bill Ver West) Dockery. She will be dearly missed by her children Julia (William) Barrie of Ann Arbor and Anthony (Lisa) Peters of Petoskey.

Toni leaves behind a legacy of love through her 11 grandchildren: Ryan Peters, Kathleen (Brennan) Crispin, James A. (Christy) Peters, Michael Anthony, Molly (Eric) Pardini, David (Kelsey) Barrie, Brandon Anthony, Kristi (Matthew) Reichart, Eric Barrie, Christian Anthony, and Jesse Barrie. She will also be fondly remembered by her 16 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

In lieu of flowers, those inclined to make a donation in Toni's memory may consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of her favorite charities.

A funeral mass will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Mancelona with Father Rolando Silva presiding. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a rosary beginning at 7:00 on Tuesday, July 1, at the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.

Arrangements are in the care of the Mancelona Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com