Joan G. Peterman

Joan G. Peterman (Elmo) was born the youngest of three children to Anthony Elmo and Rose Elmo (Carissimo) on March 23, 1936, in Youngstown, Ohio. She entered into eternal rest on July 28, 2019, in Westminster, Colorado, with loved ones by her side.

Joan was raised in Youngstown. During high school, she worked as a gift-wrapper, while taking care of her ailing mother. She met the love of her life, Jerry Peterman, in high school choir. They dated and were engaged for a total of nearly five years.

Upon Jerry's return from his two-year stint in the military, the high school sweethearts married on September 3, 1956.

Joan and Jerry lived and worked in the Youngstown area for a few more years and then moved to Kent, Ohio, where Jerry worked as a police officer at Kent State University, and Joan was a homemaker and began managing pizza shops in the food service industry.

In approximately 1964, they moved to Ravenna, Ohio, where they continued working and raising their five children until August 1973, at which time they moved to Thornton, Colorado. They sure loved the mountains!

Joan worked a variety of side jobs, in addition to her full-time Italian deli/pizza shop manager jobs. For example, she liked the employee discount at Montgomery Ward for back to school shopping, or working as a dance studio secretary, in exchange for her daughter, JoAnn's, dance lessons and costumes.

Joan and Jerry had a janitorial service on the side for many years to supplement their income, which they ran during their "off hours". After retiring in the late 80's/early 90's, Joan and Jerry focused on their janitorial business, where they cleaned residential, commercial and new construction. They also owned and ran a home-based pizza/cannoli business and would drive around delivering Italian goodies to many. They ran those businesses until they were no longer physically able.

Joan and Jerry suffered from many health obstacles over the years, which led them to their extended family at Clear Creek Care Center in May of 2010. They shared a room at Clear Creek until Jerry's passing on May 11, 2012. Joan then had many special roommates, from which she formed amazing friendships.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Anthony; two brothers, Sonny (Anthony, Jr.) and Bill; and her loving husband of 55 years, Jerry. Joan is survived by five children: Mark (wife Connie) of Briggsdale, Colorado, RoseAnn of Northglenn, Colorado, Mary of Denver, Colorado, Laura of Denver, Colorado and JoAnn of Thornton, Colorado; seven grandchildren: Spencer (wife Ronda), Lance (wife Amber), Michael, Jessica, Christina, Zach (wife Kaylee) and Angelica; eleven great-grandchildren: Samantha (husband Danny), Jayda, Aryanna, Gloria, Dallas, Hailey, Trinity, Dylan, Erick Jr., Barrett, Lilyan, Brayden, Hannah and Brody; and two great-great grandchildren: Ellie and Hampton.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Joan G. Peterman to:

The Denver Hospice
Attn: Donations
501 S. Cherry Street, Suite 700
Denver, CO 80246
thedenverhospice.org

OR

Clear Creek Care Center
Attn: Resident Activities' Fund
7481 Knox Place
Westminster, CO 80030