Bonnie M. Peterson

A Celebration of Life for Bonnie Peterson will be held on Sat., Dec. 6, 2014, at 3:00 at First United Methodist Church, Mountain Home, AR, with visitation at 1:30 prior to the service.
Bonnie suffered a stroke on Tues., Nov. 25, 2014, and passed away on Sat., Nov. 29, 2014, at Hospice House in Mountain Home. Born on March 19, 1934 in Harrisonville, MO, she moved to Decatur, IL, as a child. After graduating from Decatur High School, Bonnie studied Education at Bradley University in Peoria, IL, and taught elementary school for a few years before marrying her husband, Robert “Pete” Peterson on Aug. 15, 1959. Bonnie and Pete were married for 54 years. They raised their family in Springfield, IL, where Bonnie taught nursery school and worked as a substitute while her children were young. The couple later moved to Italy for three years when Pete was called upon to design a test engineering facility there. While in Italy, Bonnie took a position teaching on a military base in southern Italy about 40 miles from their home. The Petersons moved to Mountain Home upon retirement in 1993 and loved this place and the many friends they made.

An affable extrovert with a good sense of humor, Bonnie remained active and sociable throughout her life. She loved to throw parties and bring people together. She was a past Senior Regent at the Mountain Home Moose Lodge, a longtime volunteer at the Pietz Cancer Support House, a member of various local community groups and card clubs. Bonnie was a lifelong singer and was a Chancel Choir member at First United Methodist Church, where she was also involved in the UMW Circle.

Bonnie was also an avid traveler, having visited all 50 states and over 20 countries. She was planning a trip to Italy in March 2015, but that was not meant to be. Rather, she will be spending Christmas in Heaven with Pete.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Pete; parents, Paul and Marie Parr; and two sons, Jeffrey Allen and David Lawrence.

Bonnie is survived by her daughter, Cynthia of Edwardsville, IL, sister- and brother-in-law, Irene and Brook Stanbary of Princeton, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, American Heart Association, Hospice House of Mountain Home, AR, or Peitz Cancer Support House.

Arrangements by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services.