Elmer "Gene" Peterson

OTTAWA – Elmer “Gene” Peterson, age 101, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, November 28, 2013 at Pleasant View.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 7th at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Pastor Peter Ward officiating.  Interment will follow in DeBolt Cemetery, Wedron.  Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be grandsons Craig and Scott Peterson, Don and Doug Miller, Junior Keigley and Denny Rockey.  Honorary pallbearers will be Drew, Justin, Brycon and Mark Peterson.

Gene was born February 8, 1912 at Galesburg, Illinois, a son of Peter Andrew and Nellie Frances (Finney) Peterson.  He married Marietta Smith June 5, 1943 at Ottawa.  She preceded him in death September 27, 2004.  He is survived by a daughter, Georgia Miller of Leland; daughter-in-law, Jodene “Jody” Peterson of Wedron; sisters, Shirley (Kenneth) Ricci of Utica and Bonnie Day of Monroe, North Carolina; grandchildren, Craig Peterson of Wedron, Gayanne (Scott) Coda of West Bend, Wisconsin, Mark (Kellie) Peterson of Bakersfield, California, Scott (Kelly) Peterson of Ottawa, Tracie Lehman of Wedron, Don (Monica) Miller of Waterman, Doug Miller of Leland and Kim (Mike) Royal of Delaware; eleven great-grandchildren; three great-great-granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews.  Gene was preceded in death by a son, Harold Peterson; a brother, Cecil Peterson; and three sisters, Maurine Jensen, Mary Neal and Donna Pauline Peterson.

Gene had been a member of the Wedron United Methodist Church.  He had farmed in his earlier years and retired from Wedron Silica Sand.  Gene enjoyed fixing clocks and watches and fishing in Wisconsin.  He was an avid Chicago Bulls and Cubs fan.  Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor’s choice.