Ret. USN

Ret. Lt. Commander LeRoy Edward Petersen, USN

Age 82 of Wilmington and formerly Elwood, Illinois and Camarillo, California (1972-1998) passed away Monday August 5, 2013 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.

Born July 19, 1931 in Elwood, Ed was a son of the late LeRoy H. and Florence F. Dallavia-Petersen. He was educated through the 8th grade in the Elwood schools and graduated from Joliet Township High School with the class of 1949. Ed honorably served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict, Cuban Crisis and Vietnam Era. Prior to his permanent retirement from the United States Navy on July 1, 1974, Ed's responsibilities included being a Guided Missile Test Officer, Aeronautical Engineer, Aviation Safety Officer, Director of Safety, Aircraft Organizational Maintenance Officer, Superintendent of Maintenance, Security Officer of Shore Activity, Heave Attack Pilot, Computer Systems Analyst and Coordinator of Computer Programming. He earned an Air Medal (9 Strike/Flight Awards), Cross of Gallantry for Air, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal (1 Star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea; Cuba), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), and Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars. Ed's education included Managerial Economics at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California; Airplane Pilot Education at California Lutheran College in Point Mugu, California and he completed his Master's Degree at LaVerne College in LaVerne, California. Following his retirement and honorable discharge, Ed went on to sell Life Insurance for New York Life. On December 26, 1952, Ed married Margaret Arnstrom and she preceded him in death on November 19, 1979. He later married Jean Spink (nee Cupples) on June 24, 1989 and she survives. Ed attended Grace Lutheran Church in Wilmington and will be remembered for his love of golf, traveling and crossword puzzles.

Survivors include his wife Jean; four children: Paul Petersen of Santee, California, Thomas Petersen of Mission Viejo, California, Mollie Petersen of Meridian, Idaho and Martha (Lindsey) Adams of Somis, California; three step-children: Becky (Don) Larson of Wilmington, Karen (Ken) Hazelrigg of Limestone and Brenda (Lynn) Fallon of Danville, California; grandchildren: Paul (Annette) Petersen, Jr., Kevon Petersen, Blair Petersen, Cooper Adams, Chase Adams, Damon (Nicole) Puracchio, Kyle Puracchio, Sara Hazelrigg-Nielsen, Todd Hazelrigg, Ellise Fallon, Eric Fallon, Donnie (Becky) Larson, Jr. and Mike (Cheryl) Larson; (16) Great Grandchildren; one brother Robert (Pat) Petersen of Cocoa Beach, Florida; two sisters-in-law: Betty Blatt of Elwood and Ruth Smith of Wilmington and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Margaret and one sister Joan Menozi.

Visitation and video tribute will be held on Friday August 9, 2013 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Funeral services will follow Saturday August 10th at 10:00AM in the funeral home.

Burial with full military honors will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Wilmington, where Ed will be laid to rest with his first wife Margaret. Pallbearers will be: Paul Petersen, Thomas Petersen, Paul Petersen, Jr., Damon Puracchio, Kyle Puracchio and Eric Fallon.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Ed's memory to the Illinois Veteran's Home in Manteno, one Veteran's Drive, Manteno, Illinois 60950 or Grace Lutheran Church, 907 Luther Drive, Wilmington, Illinois 60481.

Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.FRBfuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Matthew R. Baskerville, CFSP. (815/476-2181)