John Wesley Peterson, 88, of Kerrville, and formerly of Pawnee, Texas, died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012. A memorial service will be held at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Kerrville at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11. 2012.
John was born Nov. 11, 1923, in Lexington, Texas, the youngest of six children born to Edward and Emma Retzlaff Peterson. After his birth, the family moved to Pawnee, Texas. With his family, John was active in the Pawnee Methodist Church. He attended school from first grade through high school in Pawnee. Following graduation, he served with the U.S. Army in post-World War II Germany.
In 1949 John married Bernice Ern at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas. They were blessed with three children, daughter Sheridan and sons Neil and Crag. John worked in farming and ranching, served as the Pawnee Independent School District tax assessor-collector and in later years enjoyed his job as an oil lease service field supervisor.
John and Bernice retired to Boerne in 1982, then to Kerrville in 1987. Retirement activities included RV travel with and to visit family and involvement in their Kerrville Rio Robles retirement community. They were charter members of Hosanna Lutheran Church in Kerrville, where John served on the first building committee, and he and Bernice helped plan and care for the initial landscaping of church grounds.
Over the years, John was a loving husband, a devoted father and grandfather, involved son, son-in-law, brother and neighbor. He was available, day or night for family, friends and neighbors in need.
John was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and their spouses, Marvin Cunningham, Emma Lou and Alton Voges, Frank and Jean Peterson and Warren H. Peterson: niece, Nancy Cunningham; and infant granddaughter, Emily Peterson.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bernice; and his children Sheridan and husband Neil Bockelmann, Neil and wife JoAnn and Craig; 7 grandchildren Liesl Bockelmann James and husband Curtis, Andrew Bockelmann and wife Holly, Stephen Bockelmann, Garner Peterson and wife Jennifer, Landon Peterson, Linsey Peterson and Lauren Peterson; 5 great grandchildren Walter and Theodore Bockelmann, Cohen and Dex Peterson and Olivia James. In addition he is survived by a sister in-law Mary Peterson; nieces and nephews with whom he remained especially close throughout the years, Mary Ann Weiss Williford (George), Patricia Weiss Purl (Jack), Jim Cunningham (Brenda), Steve (Eva), Ralph (Kathy), and Kieth (Melissa) Peterson, Gloria Voges Lear, Grace Voges James (Jay) and Payl (Sally) and Warren (Tanya) Peterson .
The family is deeply grateful to those who gave John cheer and encouragement; his loving and beloved relatives, his Hosanna family and Pastor Jim Mueller and his wonderful neighbors and friends. John's family will always be thankful to Dr. Klaus Schroeder and to Peterson Hospice for his dedicated nurses, his dear aides, his faithful chaplain and his loyal volunteer.
Memorial remembrances may be made to Hosanna Lutheran Church or Peterson Hospice of Kerrville.
"We have put our hope in the living God", who is the Savior of all."
(1 Timothy 4:10)
