Obituary of Lionel John "Jack" Peterson

Lionel J. “Jack” Peterson, 87, of Horseheads, NY, passed away peacefully on September 3, 2021, at Arnot-Ogden Memorial Hospital, Elmira, NY, after a short illness. He was born on February 18, 1934, a son of Carl and Lois (Giltz) Peterson, in Elmira, NY. He graduated from Thomas A. Edison High School, Elmira Heights, in 1952, and served as a Medical Corpsman in the US Navy and Marine Corps from 1953 - 1957. He married the love of his life, Mary Lou Williams, in 1958, at Elmwood Baptist Church in Elmira Heights NY. They had a wonderful life, building a home together and raising their three children in Horseheads, NY. He worked as a letter carrier for the US Postal Service in Horseheads for 33 years. They were long time members of the Horseheads First United Methodist Church. Camping trips were a highlight of family vacations through the years, including a month-long trip across the United States. The grandchildren as well have many happy memories of camping with Grandma and Grandpa. Upon retirement, he and Mary Lou spent winters in Florida for several years. They traveled far and wide with their Coachmen travel trailer club in the US, and also enjoyed many trips and cruises in Europe. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, daughters Linda (Rene) Mandanas of Oswego NY, Betsy Galvin of Old Saybrook CT and son Daniel Peterson of Horseheads NY; a brother, Mark Peterson of Liverpool NY; and nine grandchildren: Laura (Jen) Loomis, Robert Mandanas, Richard (Janet) Mandanas, Sarah Mandanas, Thomas Galvin, Kristen Galvin, Andrew Galvin, Christopher Peterson and Melissa Peterson. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, funeral services will be private.