Post by Frank Johnson on Feb 25, 2022 1:43:59 GMT -6
George E. Peterson
Mr. George E. Peterson, 75, of Galesburg, Illinois passed away peacefully at 11:46 am Thursday, February 24, 2022,
at his home surrounded by his loving family. George was born November 7, 1946, in Galesburg, as the son of Keith O.
and Marion A. (Anderson) Peterson. He married Janice A. Fennel on September 28, 1968, in Elk Point, South Dakota.
He later married Diane L. Cherrington Reiber on August 4, 2001, in Galesburg.
He is survived by his wife, Diane; his children, Erick (Stephanie) Peterson of Johnston, Iowa, Erin (John) Woodward
of Mooresville, North Carolina, Craig (Stephanie) Reiber of Naperville, Illinois, and Christy Reiber of Naperville,
six grandchildren, Morgan Peterson, Jackson Blair, Avery Woodward, Trey Woodward, Graham Reiber, and Elizabeth Reiber
and his in-laws, Bruce and Rhoda Cherrington of Galesburg. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Keith McKinnon.
George graduated from Galesburg High School in 1964 and went on to study at North Park College in Chicago, Illinois.
He began working for Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Home on June 1, 1964, and later graduated from Wisconsin Institute
of Mortuary Science in 1968. George became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in 1968. He was co-owner of the
funeral home from 1988-2017, with Dave Pearson and Wayne Hull. After 50 years of funeral service, he retired as President
of Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Home in 2017. George was an active faithful member of the Covenant Church, serving on
all boards including Chairman of the church for three years and loved singing in the choir.
George believed in his community and taking an active role in the community. He was a past member and served as President
of Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, past member of Board of Directors of the Knox County YMCA, past member of Board of
Directors of Prairieland Hospice-Community Hospices of America, and Knox County Heart Association. George was a past member
of the Galesburg Public School Foundation Board of Trustees, past member and chairperson of the Board of Trustees for
Galesburg Cottage Hospital, and also served on the Board of Directors at F & M Bank. He chaired the Strategic Plan for
Economic Development for the City of Galesburg. He served on the Galesburg Community Foundation Board until his passing.
George volunteered his time and worked with the United Way of Knox County and the Galesburg Salvation Army. He officiated
for the Illinois High School Association for basketball and baseball for many years. George was a mentor for young people,
a friend to many, and an articulate conversationalist who didn’t know a stranger. George always put his family first and
modeled this for his children. He loved spending time with his wife, his children, and his grandkids including many family
vacations with all! He loved to travel with Diane and enjoyed months in Palm Springs after retirement.
We cannot forget his eye for style! George always enjoyed fashion and stylish eyewear. He has many treasured friendships
and always loved to laugh. He is the rock of his family and leaves a lifetime of memories with us all.
Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:00 am Friday, March 4, 2022, at Covenant Church with Rev. Tom Ek officiating.
Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm Thursday, March 3, 2022, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation
Services Galesburg Chapel. Burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Covenant Church. Online
condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
Mr. George E. Peterson, 75, of Galesburg, Illinois passed away peacefully at 11:46 am Thursday, February 24, 2022,
at his home surrounded by his loving family. George was born November 7, 1946, in Galesburg, as the son of Keith O.
and Marion A. (Anderson) Peterson. He married Janice A. Fennel on September 28, 1968, in Elk Point, South Dakota.
He later married Diane L. Cherrington Reiber on August 4, 2001, in Galesburg.
He is survived by his wife, Diane; his children, Erick (Stephanie) Peterson of Johnston, Iowa, Erin (John) Woodward
of Mooresville, North Carolina, Craig (Stephanie) Reiber of Naperville, Illinois, and Christy Reiber of Naperville,
six grandchildren, Morgan Peterson, Jackson Blair, Avery Woodward, Trey Woodward, Graham Reiber, and Elizabeth Reiber
and his in-laws, Bruce and Rhoda Cherrington of Galesburg. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Keith McKinnon.
George graduated from Galesburg High School in 1964 and went on to study at North Park College in Chicago, Illinois.
He began working for Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Home on June 1, 1964, and later graduated from Wisconsin Institute
of Mortuary Science in 1968. George became a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in 1968. He was co-owner of the
funeral home from 1988-2017, with Dave Pearson and Wayne Hull. After 50 years of funeral service, he retired as President
of Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Home in 2017. George was an active faithful member of the Covenant Church, serving on
all boards including Chairman of the church for three years and loved singing in the choir.
George believed in his community and taking an active role in the community. He was a past member and served as President
of Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, past member of Board of Directors of the Knox County YMCA, past member of Board of
Directors of Prairieland Hospice-Community Hospices of America, and Knox County Heart Association. George was a past member
of the Galesburg Public School Foundation Board of Trustees, past member and chairperson of the Board of Trustees for
Galesburg Cottage Hospital, and also served on the Board of Directors at F & M Bank. He chaired the Strategic Plan for
Economic Development for the City of Galesburg. He served on the Galesburg Community Foundation Board until his passing.
George volunteered his time and worked with the United Way of Knox County and the Galesburg Salvation Army. He officiated
for the Illinois High School Association for basketball and baseball for many years. George was a mentor for young people,
a friend to many, and an articulate conversationalist who didn’t know a stranger. George always put his family first and
modeled this for his children. He loved spending time with his wife, his children, and his grandkids including many family
vacations with all! He loved to travel with Diane and enjoyed months in Palm Springs after retirement.
We cannot forget his eye for style! George always enjoyed fashion and stylish eyewear. He has many treasured friendships
and always loved to laugh. He is the rock of his family and leaves a lifetime of memories with us all.
Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:00 am Friday, March 4, 2022, at Covenant Church with Rev. Tom Ek officiating.
Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm Thursday, March 3, 2022, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation
Services Galesburg Chapel. Burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Covenant Church. Online
condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
