LaVern “Ole” Peterson, 83, of Belvidere, Ill., died peaceably at home with his family by his side.
He was born in Sparta on March 23, 1931, and married Connie Miller on June 19, 1954 in St. Charles, Ill.
He came to Illinois in 1949 to work on a farm, and he served in the Korean War in the 7th Calvary Regiment from 1952 to 1954. First he retired from Ingersoll Milling in 1998 and later from the North Boone School District 200 in 2006. Also, he was a member of the American Legion Post 77.
Ole loved classic country music, going to county fairs, flower and vegetable gardening, Southern gospel music, and spending time with and teasing his grandchildren. He had a fantastic personality and was loved by everyone.
He will be sadly missed by his wife of 60 years, Connie; two sons, Darrin (Michele D.) Davis of Belvidere and Mark (Michelle R.) Davis, of Genoa, Ill.; eight grandchildren, Kyle, Jenifer, Michael, Elizabeth, Erin, Carl, Michelle and Stephanie; a sister, Pearl (Bruce) Bauman of Ontario; two brothers, Pete (Esther) Peterson and Gene (Linda) Peterson, both of Ontario; two sisters-in law, Donna (Jim) Nichols of Ethan, S.D., and Barb (Jim) Vargovich of Sycamore, Ill.; three brothers-in-law, Daryl D. Miller of DeKalb, Ill., Daryl G. (Cheryl) Miller of Williams, Minn., and Jon Davis of Leaf River, Ill.; a close nephew, Larry (Debbie) Davis of Rochelle, Ill.; several nieces and nephews; and close friends, Dave Harbolt, Jill Grove and Robert Olson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Arnold Peterson; a sister-in-law, Sandra Davis; and a brother-in-law, George Miller.
The visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 22, in Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services at Buck-Wheeler-Hyland Chapel, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave., Belvidere, Ill. The Rev. James Freund, pastor of Crosswind Community Church in Genoa, Ill., will officiate. Burial will be in Highland Garden of Memories. Memorials may be given to the family. To express condolences online, please visit www.andersonfcs.com.
