Howard Burdett Peterson, age 87, of Knoxville, Illinoi,s died on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 1:58 P.M. at the Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville, Illinois, after a brief illness.
He was born on June 27, 1922 at the family residence at 711 South Broad Street, Knoxville, Illinois.
He was the second of three sons born to Floyd C. and Vada Emma McGrew Peterson Sr.
He married Ona Lee Short on October 29, 1945 in Westmont, Illinois.
She preceded him in death on June 15, 1982.
Surviving are:
Daughters: Vada (David) Grant of Woodridge, Illinois
June Sellers Gorman of St. Louis, Missouri
Grandchildren: Mandy Grant Kleebauer of Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Michael Grant of Oak Park, Illinois
Aaron Sellers of St. Louis, Missouri
Great Granddaughter: Camryn Kleebauer
Brother: Robert (Mary) Peterson of Knoxville, Illinois
Sisters-In-Law: Agnes Hochhauser of Palm City, Florida and her children, Lanning, Allen, Daniel and James; Richard is deceased
Mary Huntley of Minot, North Dakota and her children, Candice, Patrick, Tom and Mary
Nieces: Mary (Jim) Golema and Christine (Robert) Bailey
Nephews: Jim Peterson and Chuck (Jean) Peterson
Faithful Companion Dog: Heidi
Preceded in death by his parents, wife, one brother and sister-in-law:
Floyd and Annabel Peterson, Jr; stepsister: Peggy Davison
and great nephew: Jeffrey Peterson
He was raised and educated in Knoxville and graduated from Knoxville High School, Class of 1940. He loved baseball and could pitch equally well right or left handed, he excelled in tennis and achieved the title of Knox County Clay Court Champion, was an excellent student and citizen. He was known for his kindness and his nurturing attitude. He loved music, baking and his family. He was a lifelong resident of Knoxville, with minor exceptions, and always considered it home. Howard entered college in the fall of 1942 only to receive his draft notice five weeks later. Passing all requirements, he was inducted into the Army Air Corps and was trained in radio communications. He was assigned to the 371st Fighter Group, participated in the invasion of Normandy, once took direct orders from General Patton and was awarded the Bronze Star for successfully landing 20 Free French planes while unable to speak French himself. His unit was awarded five battle stars. His primary role was in a forward echelon team of 5 soldiers who established radio communications for new landing strips. He was discharged in October 1945 and married his fiance'. Together they raised two daughters and built two houses in Knoxville. He was a skilled electrician and retired from Admiral in 1984 after 30 years of service. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Knoxville, Illinois.
Funeral Services of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 26, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at the Hurd Hendricks Funeral Home and Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois. Rev. Michel D. Clark officiating.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2010 from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at the Hurd Hendricks Funeral Home and Crematory in Knoxville, Illinois. Burial in Knoxville Cemetery in Knoxville, Illinois.
Memorials may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church in Knoxville, Illinois or the VFW Post # 2257 of Galesburg, Illinois. On-line condolences may be made and sympathy cards may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com |
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