MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The 3rd annual Paul Peterson Memorial Slow Pitch Softball game was scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 3rd at Nancy Moore Park.
 
This year’s tournament was rescheduled due to the field being too wet to play. The softball tournament will take place on Saturday, October 11th at Nancy Moore park beginning at 9:30 a.m.
 
While the tournament did not happen the memorial went on as planned. Family, friends, and co-workers of Paul Peterson showed up to show their love and respect.
 
Paul Peterson worked as a part of the Meridian Township Public Works Department for 32 years. After retiring Peterson continued to help in any way he could including umpiring softball.
 
Peterson’s family gathered from all over the country to see their loved one celebrated and memorialized.
 
Ashlee DeDuijtsche, Peterson's daughter, came all the way from Arizona to attend the memorial.

"It feels amazing to finally be here and see it all in place because for so long it was just pictures and ideas of what it would look like. The fact that its here and knowing that when I come home I can come here and feel his presence. I can look out into the ball field seeing people play and know that that was a real life's passion," said Dadouche.

The memorial includes a rock with a placard dedicated to Peterson. There is also a bench facing the softball field and a mini garden surrounding the area. The memorial included a ribbon cutting, speeches by loved ones, and cider and doughnuts for those in attendance.