Peter A. “Pete” Boden

Peter A. “Pete” Boden, age 57, of Hanover, IL, completed his earthly journey suddenly on September 20, 2023, as the result of an automobile accident.  To honor Peter’s life, a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023, from 1:00-4:00 p.m., at Chestnut Mountain Resort, 8700 West Chestnut Mountain Road, in Galena, IL.  A time for sharing of memories will begin at 2:00 p.m. The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Peter’s family.

Peter was born on June 16, 1966, in Livonia, Michigan, a first child, to Jack and Norma (Copeland) Boden. He later became a big brother and best friend to Andrew. He spent his entire life with an unending devotion to family and friends.  If you were a friend of Peter’s, you were surely considered to be a friend for life in his mind.  Peter was always an athlete, and supported his teams, whether on the field, coaching, or as spectator to his children, his nieces and nephews or his cherished Michigan. He, himself, was a champion ice hockey player in his younger years in Michigan. He instilled that trait for hard work on and off the field in his children, Millie and Hamish.  After his years in Michigan, Peter moved to Chicago where he made many good, lifelong friends and would eventually meet his future wife. Peter and Debbie were united in marriage at Chestnut on August 21, 2004. When the family moved to Hanover in 2010, he couldn’t have been more excited to live only eight miles from the ski hill. After signing Millie and later Hamish, up for the Chestnut Mountain Race Team he immediately began recruiting for the team. That team became an integral part of the families inner circle. He faithfully invested over 12 years in meeting new families and making sure that they all felt as welcomed to the area as they would have been in his own home.  Peter also coached many other sports teams in the area with his children on the rosters. He loved every moment of it. Baseball, softball, and golf were among his favorites, but there was truly no limit to the time and energy he would so generously share with his family, friends, and community. Peter was a commercial real estate appraiser by trade and spent most of his working years in the Chicago area. His recent illness made working for the last two years very difficult, and that was very hard on him not being able to provide for his family in a way he was accustomed and participate in life fully the way he wanted to. Peter was undeniably a social person who always enjoyed the company of others whenever possible.  It’s difficult to imagine life moving forward without such a large and positive force in our lives leading the way as Peter did.  His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved him, but it is surely with heavy hearts which we carry today. Thank you, Peter, for being the absolute best man any of us could ever hope to ask for and may the University of Michigan play proudly as you can now cheer them on from the best seats in the house.

Those left behind to cherish the memory of Peter include,

his loving wife of 19 years,

Debbie Horkay Boden, Hanover, IL;

his two adored children,

Millicent Sno Boden,

and Hamish Shane Boden, both of Hanover, IL;

his brother and sister-in-law,

Andrew and Karen Boden, Fowlerville, MI;

his aunts,

Ruth (Copeland) Hutchison, Galena, IL,

and Margaret Copeland, Rochester, MI;

his father and mother-in-law,

John and Louise Horkay, Hanover, IL;

his sisters-in-law,

Jeanette (Rich) Havansek, Skokie, IL,

and Laura (George) Pettera, Hanover, IL;

his nieces and nephews,

Parker (Yuese Zheng) Boden, Durham, NC,

Paige Boden, Livonia, MI,

Peyton Boden, Westland, MI,

Ricky Havansek, Chicago, IL,

Caleigh Havansek, Skokie, IL,

Ana Horkay, Chicago, IL,

Dakari Taifa, Hanover, IL,

and Raiden Taifa, Ft. Myers, FL;

his great-nieces and nephew,

Jayyda, Lily, Alaya, and Tommy;

his cousins,

Blaed Hutchinson, Los Angeles, CA,

Aaron (Kylie) Copeland, Boerne, TX,

Alex (Laura) Copeland, Newburgh, IN,

Moira (Gerard Diagle) Fenner, Brighton, Ontario,

Stu (Kim) Fenner, Scarborough, Ontario,

Ken (Karen) Fenner, Lindsay, Ontario,

Elaine Fenner, Guelph, Ontario,

Anne Marie (Boden) (Lawrie) Friel, Scotland,

Eileen (Boden) (Duncan) Ferguson, Scotland,

and Alex (Liz) Boden, Scotland;

along with numerous other cousins, second cousins, and extended family in the States, Canada, England and Scotland.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents; Jack and Norma (Copeland) Boden, his aunts Margaret (Boden) Fenner and Noela Boden, his uncles; Pete Copeland, Willie Fenner, Alec Boden, and  Robert Hutchison; and his nephew, Joshua Taifa.

Peter’s family would like to thank their family and friends and the community at large, especially the River Ridge community, who have been so supportive and caring over the last two years as Peter has faced his kidney disease head on.  Your patience, compassion, and unwavering devotion in Peter’s time of trial truly brought them all some much-needed peace of mind during that very difficult time. For that and the outpouring of love and support from all facets of their lives, near and far they are forever grateful for each and every one of you.

Online condolences may be shared with Peter’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com