Wayne Peterson

Wayne D. Peterson, age 86 years, of Hillsboro, passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at St. Joseph’s Memorial Hospital in Hillsboro, Wisconsin.

He was born on September 1, 1923 to Melvin and Ruth (Smith) Peterson at Valley, Wisconsin.  At the age of 3, his Mother died and was then raised by his Grandparents at Valley.  He entered the Civilian Conservation Corp at 14 and then entered the U.S. Navy in 1942.  Wayne served on the Destroyer USS Ringgold and the Aircraft Carrier Boxer in the South Pacific during World War II, until 1946.

Wayne was united in marriage to Marcella Chlup on September 27, 1947 at Mount Tabor.  He owned Peterson’s Garage since 1951, and the Peterson’s Chevrolet Dealership from 1971 to 1988.  Wayne was active in the community serving as City Mayor for 16 years and on the City Council; was a 20 year veteran of the Hillsboro Fire Department, serving as Fire Chief for several years; was a member of the St. Aloysius Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and the Veterans of Foreign War Hillsboro Post.  At age 65, he began semi-truck driving, an owner/operator carrying long distance loads.  Marcella preceded him in death on September 26, 1993.  He later married Virginia Nedland in 1994 at Westby; she preceded him in death in 2006.

Survivors include his children, Jeanne (Donald) Verbsky of Menomonee Falls, WI, James Peterson of Hillsboro and Steven (Jo) Peterson of Hillsboro; five grandchildren, David (Sara) Verbsky, Amy (Chad) Buchmann, Sarah (Bill) Peppard, Danielle Peterson and Taylor Peterson; great-grandchildren, Hannah and Lila Verbsky and Brady Buchmann; step children, Kevin Nedland and Ed Schaefer; and step grandchildren, Stephanie, Ethan, and Matt Bartels.  He was preceded in death by his Parents; wives, Marcella and Virginia; son, John; daughter, Ruth; and step daughter, Vicki Schaefer.