Danny Bedell Peto

Danny Peto, 71, of Trenton, Missouri, (formerly of Unionville, Missouri) passed away at St. Luke’s on the Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, March 12, 2021, following complications with a heart procedure.

Daniel Bedell Peto was born in Higbee, Missouri, on July 13, 1949, the son of Fred and Mary (DiGiorgio) Peto, who preceded him in death.  Danny grew up in Mercer and Putnam Counties and graduated from Unionville High School in 1967.  He worked for Rock Island Railroad with his father during the summers.  He operated heavy equipment on several projects, including the Stockton Dam, KCI Airport, US Highway 136, Long Branch Lake, and the Clarence Cannon Dam.  It was during this time that Danny accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was later baptized at First Baptist Church in Unionville. Danny was appointed sheriff of Putnam County to fill an unexpired term and then was elected sheriff in 1981.  At that time, he was the youngest county sheriff in Missouri.  Danny was appointed to a position of field agent for the Missouri Division of Liquor Control in 1990 and retired as a special agent for Alcohol and Tobacco Control in June 2010.  After retirement, Danny worked maintaining roads for Washington Township in Mercer County and Lincoln Township in Grundy County.

Danny married Julie Sinclair on January 1, 1994.  He and Julie moved to Trenton, Missouri, in 2006.  Danny was active in every community in which he lived, serving on various boards and committees.  He served on the Putnam County R-1 School Board and was later instrumental in building the fitness center at the school.  Danny has been a Jaycee, a Rotarian, and a Mason.  He was a member and served as a deacon at Edinburg Baptist Church in Trenton, and he had also served as a deacon at First Baptist Church in Unionville.  Danny loved watching his grandkids play sports and teaching them to shoot guns.  He also enjoyed camping and kayaking.  Danny loved people and loved having fun.  His reputation for ornery (but good-natured) antics and unique sense of humor was well known.  He loved to entertain others with storytelling, and those who knew Danny likely have a story to tell on him.

Danny is survived by his wife, Julie, and three children; Shawn (Kristy) Peto, Tisha (John) Giglio of Kansas City, Missouri; and Aaron Pryor of Trenton, Missouri. His five grandchildren are Angelo Peto, Dario Peto, Brecken Brownfield, Brooke Brownfield, and Asher Pryor.  His great granddaughter is Nora Hansen.  Danny is also survived by two sisters; Georgie (Richard) Stottlemyre of Unionville, Missouri, and Mary Ann Roberts of Iowa City, Iowa, as well as his mother-in-law, Sandra Sinclair; brother-in-law, Brett (Annette) Sinclair; and sister-in-law, Kim (Mike) Hunsaker.

Danny was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law Bill Sinclair, and brother-in-law Darrell Roberts.

A Celebration of Life for Danny will be held at the First Baptist Church in Unionville at 11:00 am on Friday, March 19, with visitation at Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Thursday, March 18.  Interment will be at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Princeton, Missouri.

Memorials are suggested to and checks should be made to the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27 ^th , Unionville, MO 63565.