Obituary of Chris A. Peterson
Chris A. Peterson, age 80, of Shorewood, passed away Friday, October 22, 2021 at Amita Health Holy Family Medical Center, Des Plaines, IL.
Born October 13, 1941 in Joliet, he was the son of Chris Arthur and Lorena (Ott) Peterson, Sr.
Chris was raised with his family in Wilmington, IL where he attended Wilmington Grade School and graduated from Wilmington High School, Class of 1959, with many of his early childhood friends. Chris was a member of the First Presbyterian Church Wilmington. In school, he was an active participant in baseball, football, and basketball. Chris graduated from Illinois State University in 1965 with a major in Physical Education and a minor in History.
Chris married Brigitte Malnar May 22, 1971 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Joliet, IL and together they made their home in the Joliet and Shorewood area where they raised their only child, son Michael. As a family they were members of Church of St. Jude in Joliet.
At Minooka High School (Minooka, IL) Chris taught Civics and American History, and coached basketball, football, and baseball. He was a well-respected teacher and employee. After teaching 35 years, Chris retired from Minooka High School. He then worked many years full time as a support staff at Plainfield High School (Central and East) Plainfield, IL. During his entire teaching career, Chris was also employed by Midwestern Gas Transmission, working summers and weekends.
Chris and his son, Mike, were active for many years in the Civil War Reenactment Group 64th Illinois Company E Yates Sharpshooters.
Chris was a member since 1982 of the Moose Lodge # 300 and enjoyed their Friday Night fish fry with his family. Chris was an avid fan of the Chicago Bears, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, and the Joliet Jackhammers/Slammers.
Surviving are his devoted son, Michael C. Peterson of Shorewood, his loving sister, Shirley Peterson (David) Prest of Tempe, AZ; sister-in-law, Mary (Jack) McClintock of Joliet, IL; and cousins, Frank (Joan) Heeg, and John (Linda) Heeg, both of Lemont, IL. Several nieces and nephews also had the privilege of knowing him as their Uncle Chris.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Brigitte (Malnar) Peterson (May 2, 2009), his parents; a brother, Gene Doolittle; and a sister, Delores Doolittle Weidenbach Garcia.
Visitation for Chris Peterson will be held Friday, October 29, 2021 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet. Additional visitation will be held Saturday, October 30, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 10:00 a.m., at the funeral home. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery 1500 N. Raynor Ave. Joliet.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Chris’s memory to the charity of the donor's choice.
For more information, please call (815-741-5500 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
