Juanita Irene Peterson Obituary (1931 - 2014)

Juanita Irene Peterson 82, of Mt. Zion, formerly of Cerro Gordo, peacefully went to her eternal home surrounded by her family at the home of her daughter, on Friday, September 26, 2014, at 12:57 a.m. A service honoring Juanita's life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 30, 2014, at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion with Pastor Ed Bacon officiating. Burial will be in Cerro Gordo Cemetery. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com. Juanita was born near Cisco, IL on October 25, 1931, the daughter of Ernest and Kathryn (Benson) Thomas. She met her husband Junior Peterson, while working as a waitress at the Cerro Gordo Cafe. They married on November 26, 1949, and were blessed with four children. Juanita retired from her work career from St. Mary's Hospital after twenty years of service. She attended Mt. Zion Christian Church and loved her church family. She was a die-hard Cubs fan and enjoyed watching the games on television. Juanita loved the time she resided at Evergreen Senior Living, especially the times spent sitting on the front porch chatting with her dear friend, Jane. She will be remembered as a dedicated sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved spending time with all of her family. Juanita eagerly looked forward to her monthly outings with her sisters. Her children and grandchildren credit her with teaching them what it means to be a warm and loving family. Surviving are her children: Rebecca Dunn and her husband Mike of Decatur, Brenda Griffeth and her husband Rod of Decatur, Ron Peterson of Rockaway Beach, MO, and Cheryl Jacoby and her husband Jim of Oakley; sisters: Beverly Walsh of Cerro Gordo, Diana Brown of Springfield, and Donna Ousley of Decatur; grandchildren: Brian Griffeth and his wife Melissa, Tiffany O'Leary, Ben Griffeth and his wife Laura, Jill Clow, Jarod Griffeth, Kevin Dunn, Debbie Jacoby, Sarah Peterson, and Josh Jacoby. Nine great-grandchildren and nine nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother Lowell "Jack" Thomas, one grandson and one granddaughter.