Dr. Lynn Peters

Dr. Lynn Peters passed away two months shy of his 100th birthday.  He was a man with deep roots in Defiance, born in the Defiance Hospital in 1925 to Ralph and Lorna Lynn Peters.  Lynn graduated from Defiance High School as valedictorian in 1941.  He graduated from Oberlin College in 1944 summa cum laude in chemistry.  Drafted in 1944, he entered the US Navy, eventually working stateside as an Electronics Technician 2nd Class on infrared tracking of ships at sea.  After two years of military service, Lynn resumed his studies in chemistry, earning both an MS and PhD from the University of Michigan by 1952.  After graduation, he was hired by Eli Lilly in Indianapolis as a Process Research and Development Chemist, primarily working in the development of antibiotics, vitamins and anti-depressants.  Lynn was part of a team developing a new antibiotic when a contest was held to name the drug.  His suggestion of “Cephalexin” was the winning entry for the medication still in wide use today.  Lynn spent his entire career at Eli Lilly, coming home to Defiance every weekend to see his folks.  When he retired in 1983, he moved back to his childhood home at 110 Jefferson Ave. to care for his mother.  Lynn moved to Glenn Park of Defiance in 2019 at the age of 94 where he received outstanding care, understanding and affection.

Lynn followed in his family’s devotion and commitment to Defiance, both city and college.  His parents, Ralph and Lorna, were graduates of Defiance College (1918/19) where they had been voted by their classmates as the “Most Devoted Couple”.  They were both community leaders and well-loved by a large circle of friends, continuing their “devotion” to the college through service and generosity.  Ralph W. Peters was a college trustee and served as Acting President of Defiance College from 1955-56.  He spent a full career as the Editor of the Defiance Crescent News from 1921-51, involved in many civic organizations for the betterment of the community and the environment.  Lynn’s grandfather, Rev. Frank H. Peters, served as College Minister at Defiance College from 1920-29.  

Lynn was a humble man with a brilliant mind and a kind heart.  He will be missed by his younger sister, Portia Peters Hanson of Columbus; three nieces, Beth Hanson, Cathy Hanson, both of Columbus, and Julie Hanson Reiswig (Jeffrey) of Newark, Ohio; great nephews Jaymz Rhime (Amy) of Corrales, NM, and Kevin Reiswig (Alex Chebuhar) of Port Townsend, WA; and six great-great nieces and nephews. 

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM in The Clubhouse Room at Glenn Park in Defiance. 

Private graveside service will be held by the family. 

Schaffer Funeral Home was honored to assist the family with arrangements.

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