Obituaries

September 28, 1923 to November 15, 2012

ROCHESTER - Dale Kinsey Petersen, 89, of Rochester passed away at 12:38 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 15, at Memorial Hospital, South Bend.

He was born in Chicago on Sept. 28, 1923 to the late Sigurd Richard and Hazel Kinsey Petersen. He married Clovis Mikesell on May 20, 1945, and they were married for 52 years before she preceded him in death on Jan. 2, 1997. He married Eileen Waltz Halterman on Sept. 27, 1997, in Winamac. She survives.

He is also survived by two daughters: Marlene Nellans and husband Gary of Winamac, and Geraldine Petersen of Milwaukee, WI; four sons: Marvin Petersen and wife Mary of Wickenburg, AZ, Steven Petersen of Mishawaka, Ted Halterman and wife Alma of Rochester, and Lynn Halterman and wife Mary Kay of Charlotte, NC; 17 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Vreeland of WI; and a brother David Petersen of CA. Many nieces and nephews also survive.

Spending his childhood in Arkansas, Mr. Petersen, the son of a minister, was the oldest of three children. He graduated in 1941 from Western Grove High School in Western Grove, Ark. Later, he attended John Brown University where he studied aeronautical engineering. He met his future wife, Clovis, while he was stationed with the U.S. Force in Bozeman, Mont. They were introduced while she was visiting her brother. They were married six months later. After World War II, they returned to Indiana where he worked in quality control at Bendix, Indiana Metal, and Talma Fastener in the tool room.

Clovis and Dale were married for over a half century. He took wonderful care of her as in the later years she suffered from Multiple Sclerosis. He was remarried in an outdoor ceremony at the home of his daughter Marlene. Eileen and Dale enjoyed traveling. Their favorite destinations were Niagara Falls, North Carolina and and California. Eileen taught Dale to dance and play euchre. Mr. Petersen enjoyed friendships and being around people and was known for his corny jokes, quick wit and quiet demeanor. A man of true compassion for others, he delivered meals for Woodlawn Hospital, and pharmaceuticals for the Webb Family Pharmacy.

He was a member of the Talma Methodist Church, and also attended the Trinity United Methodist Church of Rochester. He and Eileen were members of the Win- A-Couple Sunday School class. He loved the Lord and left a strong Christian legacy for his family by the way he lived his life. He was loved by his grandchildren who surrounded his bed during his last hours. He was also a member of the Manitou VFW #1343, LeRoy Shelton American Legion Post #36 and the Moose Family Lodge #1107.

Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, and 9 to 10 a.m., Monday, at Good Family Funeral Home, Rochester. A celebration of life serve will begin at 10 a.m., Monday (Nov. 19), at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Fulton County Honor Guard and the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard.