John Peterson

John was born on May 2, 1951, in Marquette, the son of John and Agnes (Quayle) Peterson.

If you ever met John, you probably remember the conversation-because he never met a stranger. Whether he was tying flies, talking about his 2010 Camaro, or sharing stories about his bird dog Brandy, he had a way of making you feel like an old friend.

Raised in Ishpeming, he graduated from Ishpeming High School Class of 1969 and spent a year at NMU before starting work at the Pioneer Pellet & Eagle Mills Ore Improvement Plants. When the Tilden Mine opened, he joined the team and stayed for 32 years before his retirement. After retiring, he spent a year in Minnesota working at a paper mill, always keeping busy.

Fly fishing wasn’t just a hobby-it was a lifelong love. He learned it as a kid from his father and grandfather, he then passed it down to his children and grandchildren. He tied flies for local shops, taught classes through the community schools, and was a proud member of the Fred Waara Chapter of Trout Unlimited. He also enjoyed bowling, city league basketball, and astronomy. He was especially fond of his childhood fishing trips to Canada with his brother Paul, and later with friends.

He and Margaret (Midge), his wife of 47 years, traveled far and wide-around Lake Superior, to Hawaii, and out West. Though she never fished with him (surprisingly!), they shared trivia nights at Jasper Ridge and special moments with their grandkids.

He is survived by his wife Midge; daughter Brooke Peterson of Baraboo, WI; son John (Jen) Peterson of Ishpeming; brother Paul (Joanne) Peterson of Aurora, IL; grandchildren Morgan, LJ, Isabel, and Cadence; sisters-in-law Donna Moyle and Laurie Dahlke; and many nieces and nephews; and several close friends. He was preceded by his parents, in-laws Bill and Rosie Gerou, several aunts, uncles, cousins, and brother-in-law Dennis Moyle.

In his memory, the family asks that donations be made to the Fred Waara Chapter of Trout Unlimited-because nothing would make him smile more than knowing the next generation is casting a line.

A memorial service will be held at Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home on Saturday, August 9th, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m. Following the service, internment will be at the Ishpeming Cemetery, then a luncheon will be held at KD Hall of St. John’s Church in Ishpeming from 1-3:00 p.m.

A full obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com, where relatives and friends are invited to leave notes of remembrance.