MT. VERNON - Bobbie Joe "Col. Pete" Peterson, 84, of Mt. Vernon, passed away at 3:04 a.m. Monday, April 25, 2011, at St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon. He was born Sunday, March 20, 1927, in Nason, a son of Guy and Mary (Baker) Peterson. He married Phyllis Neal at the home of her parents on Dec. 24, 1950, and she survives. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the chapel at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn with Jason Poznich officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. Interment will be at Mt. Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn. Brent Peterson, Mr. Peterson's grandson will conduct full military honors at the cemetery. Mr. Peterson is survived by his wife; two daughters, Patty Bethard and husband Larry of Mt. Vernon and Becky Hunter and husband Keith of St. Louis; a son, Mike Peterson and wife Suzanne of Mt. Vernon; eight grandchildren, Rene (Bethard) Green and husband Tim, Clay Bethard and wife Elizabeth, Sarah Tomer, Josh Tomer, Danny Peterson and wife Crystal, Michele (Peterson) Chesnek and husband Brett, Brent Peterson and Lindsey Peterson; three brothers, Jim Peterson and wife Margie Bell of Clinton, Marlin "Red" Peterson and wife Pat of Mt. Vernon and Tom Peterson and wife Nancy of Salem; two sisters, Margie Beckham and Imogene Lance of Decatur. Several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers-in-law, Coy Lance and Joe Beckham. Mr. Peterson was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, was an auctioneer known as "Col. Pete" and loved spending time with his family, hunting, fishing and trading through Col. Pete's Store. He was a Christian and attended First Church of God and later Boyd Christian Church. For those who wish, memorials may be given to the Boyd Christian Church Youth Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home or mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home, where you may call 242-3348 or visit www.hugheyfuneralhome1969.com for further information and to send