Early Life, Family, & Education
Peter M. Magelli was born on June 28, 1931, in Mount Clare, Illinois. He was the son of Biagio Magelli and Mary (Mareta) Magelli and shared a remarkably close bond with his identical twin brother, Paul John Magelli. Growing up as part of a large, industrious Italian-American family of twelve children, Peter learned the values of hard work and community at a young age.
During his youth, the family relocated further north in Illinois. Peter attended Ottawa High School, balancing his studies with long hours working alongside his twin brother, Paul, and his older brothers in the family-owned Magelli Grocery stores. The family business was a staple of the region, operating multiple locations across the Ottawa, La Salle, and Marseilles communities.
Professional Career & Military Service
After his years in the family grocery business, Peter chose a professional path in the insurance industry. He moved to Henry, Illinois, where he built a respected career as a claims adjuster for a local insurance firm. His role required an analytical mind, strong problem-solving skills, and a comforting, practical presence for clients navigating difficult losses.
In addition to his civilian career, Peter was dedicated to public service and community defense, serving as a proud member of the Illinois National Guard.
Marriages & Family
Peter was blessed with a large and loving family across his lifetime:
- First Marriage: He married Mary Jean Mickles, with whom he shared three children, Paula; Peter Jr., and Mark Edward.
- Second Marriage: He later married Donna Ehnle, expanding his family circle as a loving stepfather to her two children, Tami and Shawn.
Personal Passions & Outdoor Life
Peter was an outdoorsman at heart, deeply attached to the natural landscapes of the Illinois river valleys.
- An Avid Sportsman: He was a passionate duck hunter, a hobby that allowed him to spend quiet mornings on the local waterways and marshes.
- Agricultural Volunteer: Peter possessed a deep generosity of spirit and an enduring love for the land. He frequently volunteered his weekends to work on the farms of his close friends, happily rolling up his sleeves to tend to the region’s primary crops—corn and soybeans.
Final Years & Lasting Legacy
Tragically, Peter’s life was cut short when he suffered a fatal heart attack at an early age in 1978.
Though his life was brief, his impact was profound. His twin brother, Paul—who went on to become a distinguished university dean and economist—profoundly felt the loss of his lifelong companion. To honor Peter’s memory, Paul commissioned a magnificent, formal academic mace in 1978 for Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wichita State University. Executed in stainless steel, gold, and sterling silver, the mace was presented for the first time at the 1980 commencement ceremony and remains the official symbol of the university’s authority carried at graduation to this day—a towering tribute to a beloved brother, grocery boy, guardsman, and friend.
