Gerald G. Peterson

Gerald G. Peterson, 85, of Kokomo, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 9, 2019, at his home with his family at his side.  He was born November 1, 1934, in Duffield, Virginia, to William Mitchell and Bonnie Mae (Carter) Peterson.  On November 24, 1956, he married Mary Ann Smith, in Bristol, Virginia, and she survives.

Gerald served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1954.  He went on to work as a machinist at Haynes International for 37 years before retiring in 1992.  While at Haynes, he also served as the EAP Coordinator.  He was president of Peterson Building Construction where he worked side by side with his family.  He and his sons, son-in-law and grandsons built and remodeled several houses together in Howard County.  He and his father-in-law and brother-in-law started Guarantee Sewing & Vacuum.  Gerald was a hardworking family man.  He especially cherished spending time with his grandchildren and attending their events and sporting activities.  He loved building and remodeling and enjoyed fishing, camping and spending time in Florida in his retirement.  He was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene, in Kokomo, and the Masonic Lodge, in New London.

In addition to his wife, Mary Ann Peterson, he is survived by his children, Gerald Mitchell (Joyce) Peterson, Janet Lee Silver, Gregory Scott (Mary) Peterson and Shaun (Lynda) Rowe; grandchildren, Mitchell (Meg) Peterson Jr., Amy Lee (Derrick) Pickett, Douglas Edward Peterson, Michael Thomas (Sara) Silver, Daniel William (Kristen) Silver, Gregory Scott (Maria) Peterson Jr., Kyle Andrew (Montana) Peterson, Lora Leann (Cameron) Barker, Liam Rowe and Stephen (Michelle) Rowe; step-grandchildren, David and Paul Sutton; 19 great-grandchildren; sisters, Ellen Trent, Maysie (Hubert) Trent and Hazel (Jim) Wheatley; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Thomas Silver; granddaughter, Sara Peterson; brothers, Alfred, Lloyd and Frank Peterson; and sisters, Connie Trexler and Joann Fitch.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 13, 2019, at the First Church of the Nazarene, 2734 S. Washington St., Kokomo, with Pastor Garey Miller officiating.  Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Air Force and the Kokomo VFW Military Rites Team.  Friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd., Kokomo.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Gerald’s memory to the ALS Association.  Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

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