Charles Peterson

IRON MOUNTAIN - Charles David "Charlie" Peterson, 81, of 1020 E. Grant St. in Iron Mountain, died Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, at ManorCare Health Services in Kingsford. Charlie was born Feb. 1, 1928, in Florence, Wis., son of the late Charles and Anna (Nord) Peterson. He graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1946, and was a lifelong resident of the area. Charlie was a U.S. Army veteran and was stationed in Italy. He married Joyce Hansen in December 1951 in Iron Mountain. Charlie was a project engineer employed by Lakeshore Inc. for 40 years, retiring in 1990. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the NRA and the Fumee Lake Natural Area Commission. He was a dynamic charter member of Wildlife Unlimited in Dickinson County and founded the turkey project within that organization. Charlie was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and raised pheasants and grouse. He was involved with the Department of Natural Resources and participated in many game bird releases and was instrumental in bringing Schezwan Pheasants to the area. Charlie enjoyed traveling and visited many destinations all over the world. He was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, and loved spending time with his family in the great outdoors. Charlie is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joyce; three sons, Charles "Chuck" (Melody) of Merriman, Richard "Dick" (Michelle) of Plymouth, Wis. and Dan (Tammy) of Merriman; seven grandchildren, Starr (Chris) Scuderi, Chris (Michelle) Anthony, Dr. Carrie Peterson, Matthew (Brynne) Peterson, Jessie (Alex) Lindeman, Alix and Carley Peterson; one great-granddaughter, Mae Ruby Scuderi; two cousins, Helma Abramovich and Bernice Peterson; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Alma. Visitation will be Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Rev. Michael March will officiate. Burial will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery. The Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50 will conduct military graveside honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, Wildlife Unlimited of Dickinson County, or a charity of the donor's choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Charles Peterson online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash funeral home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Charles Peterson

August 22, 2009