Alan Peterson

Alan Arthur (Pete) Peterson was a loyal, loving, and generous man. He lived his life devoted to his wife, Joana (Jo) and was a proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Pete was happiest whenever the family was together, whether it be holidays, family reunions and pig roasts hosted at the farm, or cheering on the grandkids at their ball games. Pete modeled a lifetime of being truly passionate about life and treating everyone he met with kindness. He leaves behind a warm collection of memories and his many years of wisdom and guidance will be fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Alan was born on June 6, 1931 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His parents Raymond and Martha (Wilhelm) Peterson and older sibling Ruth (Lasco) welcomed him into their Three Rivers home. His father ran the family farm and worked at a local steel foundry, while his mother enjoyed the role of homemaker and was renowned for her baking.

Growing up on the family farm, Pete developed a lifelong passion for nature, gardening, tinkering, growing crops, and raising animals. He would tell you that he also learned how to ride cows, shoot arrows through the silo roof, and how to tell the difference between a chipmunk and a skunk at an early age. Pete’s happy place was outdoors. He loved to venture off into the woods or back-forty and explore nature, or go hunting, the love of which he passed down to his son and grandsons.

Another passion was Three Rivers High School Football; he was recognized as an All-State Champion Center and was recruited by Arizona State University with a full-ride scholarship upon his graduation in 1950. Pete met his lifetime love Jo Gearhart in 1951 during their sophomore year in high school while roller-skating at the local rink. Although he was quite smitten with the new Harley Davidson he had purchased, he found that he was more smitten with Jo and proposed. They were married the following year at the Ninth Street Methodist Church in Three Rivers on May 10, 1952. The beautiful shoreline town of Holland, Michigan was the perfect setting for the newlywed’s romantic honeymoon. Little did they know that their marriage would last nearly sixty-five years!

Their favorite years together, however, were the ones they spent raising their wonderful family. Cathy, Sherry, and Steve were lucky to have a father as caring as Pete. They never questioned the love he had for them, and he was delighted to be a dad. The young family enjoyed many years of road trips and traveling that took them to camping and fishing destinations at State and National Parks throughout the US. Pete retired from the Eaton Corporation in Galesburg in 1994 after thirty-six years of service as a Tool Designer. They purchased their retirement home on Fisher Lake in Three Rivers where they pursued their love of fishing and boating.

Pete was overjoyed to welcome grandchildren into his life! Sara, Tiffany, Nick, and Jared stole his heart at first glance. Pete and Jo spent many happy years attending school functions and cheering them on during ball games. His great-grandchildren; Sophie and Bryce were the next generation to provide lots of pride and fun-filled moments. There was nothing he liked more than spending quality one-on-one time, reading and playing.

Pete was appreciated for his positive outlook on life, his generosity and loving nature, the encouragement he gave to others, and his hilarious story telling. Pete will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for generations to come.

Alan A. Peterson, of Vicksburg, passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at the age of 85. Alan is survived by his wife of 64 years: Joana; Cathy Peterson, of Kalamazoo; Sherry Peterson (John) Cauchon, of Scotts; Steve (Kathy) Peterson, of Vicksburg; four grandchildren: Sara Carvell, of MN; Tiffany (Josh) Opper, of IN; Nick (Jordin) Peterson, of Portage; Jared Peterson, of Vicksburg; two great-grandchildren: Sophie and Bryce Opper. He is preceded in death by his sister, Ruth Lasco. A funeral service will be held on Monday at 11 AM at the Lakeland Reformed Church, 10442 S. Sprinkle Road, Vicksburg, MI. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service starting at 10 AM, at the church. Burial will be at Center Park Cemetery. Please visit Alan’s web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign the guestbook, share a memory and/or photo. Those who wish may make contributions to the Lakeland Reformed Church and/or Reverence Hospice.