Janice E. Peterson

JANICE E. (CARLSON) PETERSON, 71 Rockford, IL-Janice E. Peterson, 71, was called home to be with the Lord on March 7,2011 after a short, but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer after being treated for breast cancer the year before. She was surrounded by her family in her daughter's home. Born Aug. 3, 1939 in Muskegon, MI, the daughter to the late Carl W. and Eleanor H. Carlson. She grew up in Muskegon and graduated from Muskegon Senior High in 1957. She played piano and took voice lessons and performed in 9 musicals with Muskegon's Civic Opera. She worked in Muskegon Hts. in advertising and printing departments at Manning, Maxwell, & Moore. She met her husband Fred attending a Baptist World Alliance Youth Convention in Beirut, Lebanon in 1963 and they toured the holy land together.They married in Muskegon, MI a year later and moved to Rockford. She was an avid fan of Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings. She worked at John Green Press and the Credit Bureau of Rockford until devoting many years to being a full-time mother and homemaker and babysitting in her home. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church where she was very involved, singing in the choir and performing solos. Janice also taught Sunday school for 11 years, was the superintendant for 12 years, was the chair of the Eve Circle, a past member of the board for Women's Midwest Baptist Conference, chaperoned her daughter's youth choir "Reflections" tour to Dallas, TX and participated in the group Temple Prime Timers. She also participated in the Women's Ministry Team and was able to help them plan and host many retreats. Over time Janice made many close friends at church whom she held so close to her heart. She also enjoyed to travel and took a trip with her sister, Barb, to Hawaii and made many additional trips to Michigan to visit family and attend special events. South Dakota, Upper MI with the Prime Timers and summer vacations in Hayward, WI were also on her map of places she enjoyed to visit. She also worked at Alpine Fireside in their activities department and then became very involved in watching her grandsons when they were not in school, she became a big part of their life. Survivors include her loving husband, Fredric K. Peterson; daughter, Karin Riggle; grandsons, Keith, Aaron, and Cole Riggle all of Rockford, IL; sister, Barbara Neal-Ward-Trufant, MI; brothers, Charles (Bette) Carlson of Rockford, MI, Stephen (Vicki) Carlson of Muskegon, MI; sister-in-law, Cookie (Elizabeth) (Roger) Carlson of Stillman Valley, IL and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents, brother, Lawrence (and Diane) Carlson of Muskegon, MI and niece Amy Neal. Funeral service at 11am on Sat. March 19 at Temple Baptist Church, 3215 E. State St. Visitation from 6-8pm on Fri. Mar. 18 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. and continues on Sat. at church from 10 a.m. until time of service. Cremation rites will be honored with burial at Lakeside Cemetery in Muskegon at a later date. Memorials to the family.