John and Sue Peyton moved from Ohio to her hometown of Valparaiso in 1979. John ran the family business. Sue spent twenty-two years teaching biology and chemistry at Boone Grove High School. Together, they raised two sons. Sue died in 2016.
Now retired, John reflects on the community he has called home for nearly five decades and the ways he can share some of what he has for the benefit of others.
As a long-time donor to the Porter County Community Foundation, John was familiar with the Foundation’s role in creating and managing permanent endowment funds. The idea of making a charitable gift aligned with his values, knowing it would continue to be felt for generations to come.
In 2024, to honor Sue’s memory, he established two funds that will support science education at the school where she taught. The first, the Sue Peyton Endowment Fund for Boone Grove High School Science Department, provides an annual disbursement to support expenses not covered in the budget, creating opportunities for additional impactful learning experiences. “It was important to Sue to provide exceptional learning experiences for her students,” John said. “Having some extra funding available will help make that possible.”
Second, the Sue Peyton Science Prize is awarded by the science teachers to a graduating senior to assist with college expenses. “I’m a believer in academics,” John said. “I want to encourage students to go on and further their education—especially good science students.”
PCCF is honored to manage these funds in memory of Sue that support science education in our community. Through John’s gifts, the cause she cherished will receive perpetual support, and the teachers and students at Boone Grove High School will forever be reminded that Sue Peyton cared.
