PETERSON, Irene
Of Lawton
Age 97, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2023 at White Oaks Assisted Living in Lawton. She was born July 30, 1925 to the late Lynn and Mildred (Welsh) Irwin in Porter Township, Van Buren County. Irene graduated from Mattawan High School in 1942 and married John Peterson in 1943. She worked many years in various grocery stores as a cashier and eventually retired from Welch Food’s Inc. Irene lived her entire life in the Lawton area. The last 63 years were in the house she and her husband built. Among her activities were cooking, baking, and genealogy.
In addition to her parents, Irene was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, John; 2 grandsons: Michael Behie and Andrew Peterson; and her sister, Donna. She is survived by her 4 children: David (Phyllis) Peterson, Gerald Peterson, Arlene (Frank) Behie, and Chris (Sandy) Peterson; 5 grandchildren: Monica, David, Sarina, Katherine, and Jeffrey; 7 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A Life Story Service took place Monday, July 31 at 11 AM at Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Homes, 60900 M40, Paw Paw, (269) 657-3870. A reception followed where food, drinks, and stories were shared. Burial at Oak Grove Cemetery. Visit Irene’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign her guestbook. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 200 Vesey St., 28th Floor, New York, NY 10281.