Michael J. Peters IV | Controller, 82

Michael J. Peters IV, 82, of Havertown, a retired controller, died of complications from diabetes Tuesday at Taylor Hospice in Ridley Park.

Mr. Peters graduated from Overbrook High School. As a teenager he headed the Evening Bulletin's newspaper carriers in Overbrook.

During World War II, he served in the Army, and he was stationed in occupied Japan at the end of the war.

After his discharge, he earned a bachelor's degree from Drexel University and a master's degree in business from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Peters worked for an accounting firm in Philadelphia that merged to become KMPG, an audit, tax and financial advisory firm. He retired as a partner in 1981, and then was an executive with Linpro, a real estate development company. From 1986 until the early 1990s, he was controller for the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Peters was a member of Richmond Lodge 230 of the Masons; the Brookline Fire Police; and Bethany Collegiate Presbyterian Church in Havertown.

A fisherman and target shooter, he was an officer with the Delaware County Field and Stream Association, and taught youngsters hunting safety in programs sponsored by the association.

Mr. Peters is survived by a son, Scott; a daughter, Michele Pierce; and three grandchildren. His wife of 47 years, Florence Ginter Peters, died in 2002. A son, Michael V, died in January.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Arlington Cemetery, 2900 State Rd., Drexel Hill.