Dale 'Sonny' Peterson

Dale ‘Sonny’ Peterson, 93, of Merrill, passed away Friday, December 29, 2023, at Pine Crest Nursing Home.

Sonny was born November 16, 1930, in Merrill, son of the late Otto and Elizabeth (Nelson) Peterson. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1954. Sonny married Geraldine ‘Dolly’ Kimmons January 6, 1951, at the former Bethany Lutheran Church in Irma. Dolly passed away November 8, 2022. Sonny and Dolly moved to Beloit in 1965. Sonny had worked at the Chrysler Corporation Assembly Plant in Belvidere, Illinois. Upon retirement in 1991, they returned to the Merrill area. In retirement, Sonny and Dolly enjoyed wintering in Arizona and Texas.

Sonny loved golfing, deer hunting, grouse hunting, and watching football and baseball. He had played baseball for many years; he played while he was serving in the Air Force, and he also played for the ‘Irma Kids’ team. Sonny enjoyed fishing, especially Bass fishing. He was a longtime member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Irma.

Survivors include his children, Cheryl (Jim) Losey of Irma, Cindy (Mike) Meier of Irma, Dale W. ‘Pete’ (Diane) Peterson of Corpus Christi, TX, and Bruce (Debbie) Peterson of Beloit; grandchildren, Matthew, Joel, Sarah, Josh, Lisa, Ryan, Liz ‘Myrt’, Chad, Michelle, and Shannon; twenty-one great grandchildren; five great great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Shirley Martin of Bakersfield, CA and Judy Kimmons of Irma; and many nieces and nephews.

Sonny was preceded in death by his wife, Dolly Peterson; his parents, Otto and Elizabeth Peterson; siblings, Vivian Peterson, Mahlon (Leola) Peterson, Elizabeth (Harold) Peeters, Arlie (LeRoy) Schuetz, Mildred (William) Lutzke, Royal ‘Nunny’ (Shirley) Peterson, Lyle (Doris) Peterson, Marlene (Robert) Powell, and Otto ‘Butts’ (Alice) Peterson; and brothers-in-law, Charles Searl and Jim Martin.

The visitation for Sonny Peterson will be held from 3:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M., Monday, January 8, 2024, at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. The memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, January 11, 2024, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Irma. Rev. David Sutton will officiate. Visitation will begin Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. at the church. The interment will take place at Bethany Cemetery, Town of Birch, Lincoln County, with graveside military rites conducted by V.F.W. Post 1638, Merrill. Taylor-Stine Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the family.