Obituary for Darrel Peterson

Darrel Peterson, age 76, of Marshalltown, departed this life on the morning of Sunday, January 1st, 2017, at the Grandview Heights under the care of the Iowa River Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 5th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home with Pastor Gregg Davison of the Trinity Lutheran Church officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Riverside Cemetery next to his son, Shawn. Visitation will be held from 4-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday… at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to his family to be designated towards the Shawn Peterson Scholarship at MCC. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph.641-844-1234.

Born on July 6th, 1940, he was the son of Thomas and Mildred (Medhus) Peterson of Gilman, Iowa. He began his education in Gilman and when he was in the 8th Grade, his family moved to Marshalltown, where he continued his education. At a young age, Darrel began an active work career, first at the Gasoline Alley on Church Street. He loved automobiles, so it was a perfect fit for him. Darrel had many jobs in the automobile profession, from sales, to repairs, to sitting around shops with friends but his true talent was in the wheeling and dealing to make a perfect trade. He was never reluctant of work, and held two if not three jobs most of his life. He was employed at Fisher Controls for over 30 years, Marshall Pack, the Des Moines Register (Haverhill route), drove pharmaceuticals to nursing homes, Brown and Sons Auto, and the Marshalltown Schools as a bus driver- a job he loved and the students loved him he referred to them as his honorary grandchildren.

  On November 26th, 1960, he was united in marriage to Sharon Chuckie Dougan at the Wesley Chapel of the 1st United Methodist Church in Marshalltown. Together, they were blessed with four children- Dirk, Shawn, Heather and Dustin. Darrel was devoted to his family and enjoyed supporting the events they were involved in, especially softball and baseball. He was a charter board member of the MGSA, coached softball and Little League baseball in the 1970s and 80s, a member of the UAW #893, and volunteered in many ways for Bobcat sporting events. He especially loved working the scoreboard but sometime his enthusiasm for the game became a distraction. Most recently, he enjoyed sharing his faith at the Iowa River Church of the Brethren and discussing topics of concern at area coffee clubs fondly known as gossip gulps! He will be remembered affectionately for his helping hands, strong opinions, smiling face and infectious laugh. The cellphone company probably has noticed a huge decrease in business after his passing on Sunday, as his phone was always at hand.

Left to cherish his memory are Chuckie, his loving wife of 56 years, his children and grandchildren: Deceased son Shawns children Brayden and Autumn Peterson (who make their home with their loving grandparents), Dirk (Jayne Ricken), Michail and Nicole Peterson of Ankeny, Heather (Mike), Lyndee and Bowden Jerome of Canal Winchester, Ohio, and Dustin (Ruth), Devin Peterson and Mason Dhyne of Conrad; brother Ron (Sue) Peterson of Kansas City, MO, as well as many nieces, nephews, in-laws and a host of friends. He also shared a huge extended family with many, many people in the community who knew Darrel - all of whose lives are richer by knowing him.

In death, Darrel rejoined his parents, son Shawn (Oct of 2005), brothers Dale and Virgil, sister Jean Marino, and niece Diane Price.