John B. Petersen, 82, Sturgis, died Saturday, February 6, 2011, at his home in Boulder Canyon after a long battle with heart disease.

Following Johns wishes, private family services were held at Kinkade Funeral Chapel. Inurnment with Masonic rites will be held at a later date at Black Hills National Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Sturgis Veteran's Honor Guard.

John was born October 2, 1928, in Rapid City to Bert and Edith (Hoy) Peterson. He spent his early childhood in Keystone, attending school at the Keystone School.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 25, 1948, and was honorably discharged on December 28, 1950. After his discharge, he returned to his beloved town of Keystone to work at the Etta Mine.

On Easter Sunday, March 25, 1951, John married Bonnie Jean Morris at the Little White Church in Hill City. They were just a few weeks away from celebrating sixty years together. To this union, five children were born.

John and Bonnie moved to Sturgis in August of 1953. He worked at the Fort Meade Veterans' Hospital until he retired in 1986. After he retired from Fort Meade he went logging, a love he developed as a child cutting wood with his dad. He skidded his logs off the mountain with horses and loaded them into the old yellow truck. He also worked at the Farmer's Union Oil Company in Sturgis. He truly enjoyed helping people in any way he could. He could always be counted on if ever anyone were in need. These were some of the happiest days of his life.

John was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the American Legion, a Past Master of the Olive Branch Masonic Lodge #47 AF & AM, Scottish Rite, the Naja Shrine Temple, and a Past Worthy Patron of Mato Paha Order of the Eastern Star.

The most important love of John's life was his family. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Bonnie, Sturgis; a daughter, Jan (Darrell) Steffes, Vale; three sons, Robert, Sturgis, Dick, Gillette, WY, and David (Rachel) Wasilla, AK; a sister, Patricia Meyers, Rapid City; a brother-in-law, John Talley, Keystone; five grandchildren, Nikki and Kristi Steffes, Vale, Matthew and Stephanie Petersen, Gillette, WY, and John Petersen, Wasilla, AK; one great-grandchild, Bentley Wright, Gillette, WY; special nieces and nephews; and his adoring dog, Muffy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Edith Peterson; a brother, Thomas Peterson, two sisters, Helen Jane Peterson and Kay Talley; and his beloved son, John J. Petersen.

His greatest joy came in watching his children and grandchildren achieve milestones in their lives. He loved cheering his family on in sporting events, activities, and simply visiting with them about his beloved memories of Keystone and his childhood. John was truly a very special, loving man and we will miss him greatly.

A memorial has been established to the Naja Shrine Travel Fund.