Larry Edwin Peterson

Larry E.  Peterson, 80, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away Monday, September 18, 2017, surrounded by his loving family at his residence.

Larry was born June 24, 1937, in Wabash County, Illinois, the son of Russell Edwin and F. Imogene (Belcher) Peterson.  He married Rosanna Alka on June 9, 1956, at the First Christian Church in Mt. Carmel, Illinois.  Larry attended Eureka College, Eastern Illinois University and held several degrees from Wabash Valley College.

Larry worked as a manager for the local GTE office in Mt. Carmel.  In the early 70’s he became the Advance Man for Governor Ogilvie of Illinois and worked in the Illinois Business Economic Development Department.  He was a licensed insurance agent and had his real estate license.  Larry worked in Wabash County as a contractor.  He was a supervisor at the Gibson Generating Station for Public Service Indiana.  Larry was the local office administrator of the Illinois Department of Public Aid retiring from that profession.

Larry was baptized at First Christian Church of Mt. Carmel in 1947.  He served as a Junior Deacon, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and was the youngest Elder to serve the church.  Larry was Chairman of the Board on several occasions and served on various committees on the Church Board.  He planned several mission trips; his most memorable trips were to Jamaica and Cosby, Tennessee, where several grandchildren joined him.  Larry also served as camp counselor at Camp Walter Scott, and, one year had all his grandchildren in attendance!

During his Sunday school years, he became known as the “Fearless Leader” teaching the same core group of young adults into adulthood known as the “Pairs and Spares” class.   He started a “senior group” at the church that still meets today for meals and fellowship every Wednesday. 

With a strong sense of community, Larry proudly served in several positions.  In 1964 he was selected at Mt. Carmel Jaycee’s Outstanding Young Man of the Year.  He held memberships in the Lion’s Club and Kiwanis.  Larry participated in the Civic Theater.  In earlier years, he loved working with Little League, square dancing and playing bridge.  Currently he served on the Regional School Board of Education and the Board of Rides Mass Transit.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 61 years, Rosanna; children, Larry Douglas Peterson and wife Mary, Susan Denise Peterson (Leon Leeper, deceased), and Alisa Diane Gidcumb and husband Michael, all living in Mt. Carmel; seven grandchildren, Megan (Levi) Smith, Andrew (Jennifer) Leeper, Lauren (Daniel) Berberich, Craig Leeper, Chelsea (James) Rafferty, Tyler Baggett and Sydney Peterson; eight great-grandchildren, Talon Rafferty, Hailey Leeper, Cameron Smith, Andrew Leeper, Jaxson Smith, Addison Mills, Laken Mills and Ryan Mills; siblings, Rodger (Mary Ella) Peterson of  Mt. Carmel and Rebecca (Bill) Kincaid of Newman, Illinois; and sixteen nieces and nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents and a son-in-law, Leon Leeper.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 30, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ at 8th and Main Streets in Mt. Carmel.  Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  A private family burial will be held at a later date. 

Memorials may be made to the Kidney Foundation, First Christian Church Disciples of Christ and Celtic Hospice.  Envelopes will be available at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Larry’s family.

Click here to see Larry's Tribute Video.

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