Gene Peterson

Gene Peterson, son of the late Geter and Ferva (Barton) Peterson, was born on February 26, 1928 in Wright County, Missouri and departed this life on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 in the Cox Medical Center South in Springfield, Missouri following a short illness at 81 years of age.
Gene grew up in Wright County and attended Mtn. Grove School. He was united in marriage to Bernice Postlewait on February 22, 1948 in Wright County. Three children were born to this union. They made their home and raised their family on a farm near Mtn. Grove. He raised beef cattle for many years and enjoyed tending to his farm. In 1964, Gene and his brother Rich established Peterson Gravel and Ready Mix in Mtn. Grove. In 1974, Rich sold his part of the business to Gary. Gene and Gary continued as partners until 1981 when Gene sold his half to Gary to begin his retiement. Gene later decided retirement was not for him and returned to load trucks at the creek for the family business until a week ago.
He was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, neighbor and friend. He will be truly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Gene was an avid outdoorsman, especially when white bass fishing, turkey hunting, deer hunting and camping. He was a big sports fan and a proud supporter of the Mtn. Grove Panther sports and enjoyed watching fast pitch softball at Green’s Park in Mtn. Grove. Gene was a longtime member of the Rock Chapel Freewill Baptist Church north of Norwood and enjoyed attending services and visiting with his many friends.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers: James Peterson and P.J. Peterson; and by one sister: Leatha Newton.
He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years: Bernice Peterson of their home; one son: Gary Peterson and his wife, Cindy; two daughters: Beverly Breedlove and her husband, Jim and Patti Housley and her husband, Mike, all of Mtn. Grove; one brother: Richard Peterson and his wife, Nina, of Mtn. Grove; two sisters: Eldora Wood of East Leroy, Michigan and Bea Thornhill of Belleview, Michigan; six grandchildren: Mike Breedlove and his wife, Jodi, Heath Housley and his wife, Tabetha, Adam Housley and his girlfriend, Becky Parker, Matt Peterson and his wife, Erica, Melanie Kauffman and her husband, George, and Jessica Blackburn and her husband, Gabe; eight great-grandchildren: Madison Breedlove, Mason Breedlove, Hunter Garrison, Orion Garrison, Aspen Housley, Eva Housley, Otto Kauffman and Hank Kauffman; Gene's aunt: Elzabeth (Peterson) Chambers of Missoula, Montana; nieces; nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.


Funeral Services:
Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 1:00 PM in the Rock Chapel Freewill Baptist Church.
Visitation:
Friday, May 22, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM in the funeral home.
Burial:
Hillcrest Cemetery
Donations:
Mtn. Grove Alumni Park c/o the funeral home.