Grace Peterson Obituary

Grace Ellen Peterson, 57, of Carbondale, formerly of Lombard, Illinois, passed away at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 29, 2009, at her residence. Funeral services honoring her life will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3, at the Schilling Funeral Home, 1301 Charleston Avenue in Mattoon. Burial will follow in the Dodge Grove Cemetery, Mattoon. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Friday afternoon at the funeral home. Grace was born May 13, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, a daughter of Rolland Harold and Kathleen Anne (Morphy) Peterson. She is survived by her sister, Sandra Helen Anne Peterson-Fox of Charleston; her two brothers, Robert William Peterson and wife Cindy of San Marcos, California and Alan Peterson and wife Delores of Littleton, Colorado; four nieces and nephews, Eric Fox of Ottawa, Illinois; Kristin Britt and husband Jason of Oakland Park, Florida; Shannon Rose Peterson and Adam Peterson, both of San Marcos, California; great-niece, McKena Fox of Flora, Illinois; Grace's aunt, Susan Morphy Morgan of California; and Grace's cousins, Patricia Janis, Susan Merrill, and Marjene Simmons and husband Gilbert of Portland, Oregon. She was pr ceded in death by her parents; one brother, Harold Bruce Peterson; and her uncle, Rolla Morgan. Ms. Peterson was formerly employed as a dispatcher for 25 years with the Illinois State Police in Elgin and near Carmi on Highway 14. The state troopers referred to Grace as one who would always "watch their backs". She was a member of the Illinois State Employee Retirement System. She was a very successful produce farmer and sold organic eggs from chickens. She loved all animals and kept special care of many varieties of farm animals on her property at Enfield, Illinois. She recently completed her undergraduate degree in criminal justice and was looking forward to her graduation on May 10 from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in her honor are suggested to Lincolnland Hospice or Coles County Animal Shelter.