Ken Peterson

Ken “Colonel Pete” Peterson of Mackinaw, formerly of Washington, IL passed away on August 10, 2022, at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, Peoria, IL, at 85 years of age.

He was born in Dekalb, IL, on January 25, 1937, as the first of five children to Morry and Norma (Holbo) Peterson.

Ken graduated from Waterman High School in 1955 and attended Bradley University, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. While attending Bradley, he received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program. Ken entered Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training in 1960 and received his pilot wings in March 1961.

His first assignment was on the B-47. He attended Combat Crew Training at McConnel AFB in Wichita, KS. Following his last assignment as a T-38 instructor pilot, he was honorably discharged from the Air Force in June of 1969. He continued his career as a commercial airline pilot. He was Wing Commander of the 182nd Peoria, Illinois Tactical Air Support group from 1989-1993. Of his achievements, he was proud that he had 10,000 hours of accident-free flying over, which was half instructor pilot time.

While at McConnell, he met and married the love of his life, Carolyn Holcomb. Ken and Carol raised five children who survive, Terry (Rick) Firmand, Indianapolis, IN Debbie Peterson, Mackinaw, IL Kathy (Terry) Jackson, East Peoria, IL, Brad (Ellen Shue), Washington, IL and Jenny (James) Langendoerfer, Imperial, MO. He is also survived by two sisters and many nieces and nephews. Ken and Carol are very proud of their fourteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Waiting to open the doors in heaven for Ken will be his parents, sister Nancy Forrester, brother Jim, son-in-law Scott Trent and grandson Adam Christopher.

Ken spent the remaining years of his life enjoying his family, "taking orders from his wife," and playing golf, which he also thrived in addition to his career accomplishments. Most notably, he made several hole in ones, his most recent being in August of 2007, the same day his granddaughter Jessie was born. He enjoyed many things in life including woodworking, jogging, but especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Graveside services will be held 11:00 am Friday, August 19, 2022, at Glendale Cemetery, in Washington, IL. To share a memory or send a condolence to his family, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ken Peterson, please visit our floral store.