Published in Decatur Herald & Review on September 12, 2009

DECATUR - Wayne A. Peterson, 93, of Decatur, died Thursday, September 10, 2009, in Heritage Manor, Mt. Zion. Funeral services will be held 1:00 P.M. Monday, September 14, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Sunday, September 13, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Cerro Gordo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church Television Ministry. Mr. Peterson was born January 12, 1916, in Cerro Gordo, the son of George and Bertha (Shinneman) Peterson. He married Mary Elizabeth Blickensderfer at their home in Hammond, Illinois, on July 8, 1939. Mr. Peterson worked as a farmer all his life. He was an avid Chicago Tribune reader, and a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Piatt County Fair Board, Bement Milmine Grain Board, Angus Association, and the Piatt County Farm Bureau. He is survived by his wife Mary of Decatur; grandchildren: Tracy (Jerry) Hocking of Springfield, and Robert A. (Melody) Peterson of Decatur; great grandchildren: Katherine Shafer of Springfield, Mykaela Peterson of Decatur, Blaine Peterson of Decatur, Ashlyn Schroeder of Decatur, and C.J. Schroeder of Decatur; many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Robert W. Peterson. The family would like to give a special thanks to the nursing staff at Heritage Manor in Mt. Zion.