Charlotte J. Peterman

Charlotte Jane Peterman died on July 26, 2025 at age 99. She lived in Basking Ridge, NJ. She was born July 16, 1926 and grew up on a farm in Sioux County, NW Iowa. After her elementary education in a one-room school and high school in Sioux Center, Iowa, she taught in a Sioux County rural school for one year. She received her B.A. degree from Central College, Pella, IA, and also earned hours toward an M.A degree at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, and hours in Fine Arts Education at New Jersey State in Trenton, NJ. She taught grades 1-8 in Vinton, IA, was school teacher in the Holland, MI public schools, and was later an arts educator at three Hamilton, MI public schools.

Charlotte was blessed with a beautiful soprano voice, often used for solos during high school and college years. She sang with various groups: The Holland, MI Community Chorale which performed in Orchestra Hall in Chicago, IL; The Morristown, NJ Masterwork Chorus which annually performed several complete renditions of Handel's "Messiah" in Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall, in New York City. She was active musically in choirs in churches which she attended, and which her husband, The Rev. Dr. Glen O. Peterman served: The People's Park Reformed Church (Reformed Church in America - RCA) in People’s Park NJ; Second Reformed Church (RCA) Wyckoff, NJ; First Reformed Church (RCA) in Pella, IA; Hope Reformed Church (RCA) in Holland, MI. At her husband’s last pastorate of 17 years at the Neshanic Reformed Church (RCA) in Hillsborough, NJ she began children's choral and hand-bell Choirs. An annual musical play was always presented by the children's choirs.

Her other interests were reading, gardening, flower arranging, and local and international travel after retirement. In 1997 they moved to Fellowship Village (FV), a retirement community in Basking Ridge, NJ. Charlotte volunteered on the FV library; a welcoming committee for new residents; and served as a member of the operations committee. She played piano for the weekly Thurs. a.m. worship service in assisted living; playing piano for the weekly Tuesday evening vesper service in independent living, and numerous memorial services at the Village. The produce of her garden and her flower arrangements she often shared with other residents and especially friends in assisted living.

Charlotte was preceded in death by her loving husband, Rev. Dr. Glen O. Peterman, of 49 years, in 2001. She was also preceded in death by her parents, John A. & Dora (Vander Schaaf) Poppen, Sioux Center, IA; her sisters: Marcella Poppen, Orange City, IA, and Dorothy Poppen (Clarence) Bomgaars of Sioux Center, IA.

Charlotte is survived by daughter, Cherryl J. Peterman of Dallas, TX and Santa Fe, NM, and her son, Glen L. Peterman of Carlisle, PA; by her brother, Rev. Dr. Alvin J. Poppen and spouse, Prof. Carol George Poppen of Ithaca, NY and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is being planned for a later date.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main St, Flemington NJ 08822.  For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.