Patricia Lou (French) Peterson

Patricia Lou French Peterson “Pat”, was born on the banks of the Wabash River in Mt Carmel, IL on Aug 23, 1932 to Mary Lucille Belcher and Roy French, also of Mt. Carmel, IL.  She was a 1950 graduate of Mt. Carmel High School, Pat had already met her husband-to-be, Harold “Pete” Peterson. 

The couple had met through a mutual friend and had courted for one month prior to him proposing in the front seat of his beloved Studebaker. The same car in which they had had their first date and later shared a first kiss!

Always a woman of strong faith, after a lot of prayer, the couple moved to Chicago, IL where Pete would attend Coyne Electrical College. There, they shared a one-bedroom flat right off State Street. Pete was able to defer deployment when called to serve to finish college, but after graduation, he deployed, and a now with-child Pat would rejoin her mother and “Aunt” Fannie back in Mt. Carmel so that the women could help with the delivery of their first daughter Rae Lynn (1951-2016). 

After baby was born and Pete returned from the war, the couple welcomed the arrival of a second daughter, Jan Ellen (1956) and the young family relocated to South Prince Street in Princeton, IN, buying their first home for just $7k! 

Later in her life, Pat returned to school. Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Oakland City College, obtaining her teaching degree. She taught grade school children at Keensburg Elementary in Illinois & at Princeton Krissy Kay before retiring in 1994. 

Pat and Pete attended the Tower Heights Church of God for 63 years! The couple were passionate about serving their church and the Kingdom of God. Pat was a member of the choir, Sunday school teacher, the benevolence committee, a constant volunteer and committed to giving back to the Lord with acts of service. If her phone rang and someone was in need, you could count on her to pray long and sincerely for whatever the need was. If she had a helping hand to give – she would most certainly offer it.

Pat and Pete built a beautiful life together. Watching their small family grow from 4, to 14, to 40 family members. Family get-togethers were important and frequent. Nothing brought them more joy than having the ones they loved dearest near to them. Surviving Patricia in death is their daughter; Jan Beach (Jody) A brother; Stephen Byes (Sue) 3 Grandsons; Eric McCandless (Sara), Mark Andreanopoulos (Leah), Stephen Andreanopoulos (Morgan) 5 Granddaughters; Machelle Young, Janette Andreanopoulos, Jennifer Burns (Christopher), Jessica Rumple (Dustin), Alyssa Castille (Brian) & 20 great-grand-children. Preceding in death is her mother (Mary) father (Roy) husband (Pete) daughter (Rae Lynn) a great-grandson Christian & countless friends. 

Please join the Peterson Family for a Celebration of Life at Tower Heights Church of God Monday, March 20th, 2023. Visitation will be held 12-2 pm (CDT). The Service will begin at 2 pm, directly followed by a graveside tribute at White Church Cemetery in Princeton. In honoring Pat’s wishes, we ask that those in attendance please wear color!

Condolences may be offered at ColvinFuneralHome.com. Colvin Funeral Home is honored to serve the Peterson family.

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