Don Peterson

WASHINGTON-Carl Donald "Don" Peterson of Washington, formerly of East Peoria, graduated to glory in heaven on Dec. 2, 2016 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Don was born Dec. 13, 1937 to Carl Simon Bertil Peterson and Gladys (Wernowsky) Peterson in Peoria. Don married Sharon Brewer on August 14, 1958 while on a weekend leave from the U.S. Air Force. They had a wonderful 58-year marriage, and she survives. Also surviving are three sons, Eric (Jill) Peterson of East Peoria, Michael (Susan) Peterson of Springfield and Nick (Peggy) Peterson of Oviedo Fla.; six grandchildren, Drew (Jade) Peterson of Springfield; Zack (Senti) Peterson of Westminster, Colo.; Evan (Kelly) Peterson of Chico, Calif.; DJ Peterson of Oviedo, Fla.; Abigail Peterson and fiancAC. John Sparks of Springfield; and Ryan Peterson of Oviedo, Fla.; two great-grandchildren, Ellie and Ronan of Springfield; one sister, Karin (Jim) Gould of Creve Coeur; and many cousins, Swedish relatives, nieces and nephews. Don graduated from East Peoria High School in 1955 and attended Brown's Business School, where he met the love of his life, Sharon. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1958. Don and Sharon lived on the Air Force base in Clovis, New Mexico, where their first two sons were born. Don and Sharon moved back to the Peoria area in 1961 and purchased their first home on Parkside Lane where they had their third son. Don was a loan officer and later senior vice president with Tazewell Savings & Loan, which became United Federal. During this time, the family moved to Louis Court in East Peoria where Don and Sharon lived from 1971 until moving to Washington in 2010. Don was the business manager of First United Methodist Church in Peoria from 1991 until his retirement in 2002. Don came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior in January 1970. He lived his entire life for Jesus and was actively involved in Lay Witness Missions. He later served Jesus through Cursillo and Walk to Emmaus. Don was vested in helping men connect with Christ, and loved guiding them towards men's ministry and understanding their role as the spiritual leader in the home. Don was a founding and life-time member of the East Peoria Optimist Club. He loved spending time with family, worshipping at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington and fellowshipping with other men. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, and enjoyed playing cards and golf, as well as fishing with his grandson Ryan. We learned from him that "fishermen always sit in the front seat of the car". He enjoyed playing with his Bridge group the "Aces" the last few years. A celebration of his life service will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4th at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington. Services conducted by Rev. Jason Woolever. Visitation with family will be one hour prior to the service. Those attending should wear their Cardinals or Cubs attire, or that of their favorite sports team. Memorials may be made to support Don's grandson, Evan, and his ministry with Cru at give.cru.org/0742731. To share notes of condolences, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.