Raymond E. Peterson

Raymond Ellsworth Peterson, 96 of Gaylord, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at The Porches. Born in Cadillac, Michigan on June 29, 1926, he was the son of John and Gladys (Small) Peterson.

Ray enlisted in the Army in August of 1944, just two months after his high school graduation. He did his basic training with combat engineers for six months and then for six weeks he did advanced training at the Engineer Petroleum Pipeline School. He was then shipped out to the Pacific and arrived in the Philippines and then Manila where they encountered heavy fighting.

Ray’s outfit was the 2811 E.P.D.C. where they laid 90 miles of pipeline with nine pumping stations each 10 miles apart while being constantly harassed by the enemy. His unit was given a citation for their work in the tough terrain in the Philippines. Later Ray was shipped to Japan for six months for occupational duty. He then returned home to the States and was honorably discharged in August of 1946. His rank was a Corporal in the Army’s 33rd Infantry Division, 8th Army. He received two battle stars, a WWII victory medal, a good conduct medal, a marksman medal, and a certificate of recognition for service in the Cold War from Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

Upon his return to civilian life, he managed a state liquor store where he met and married Regina Smilowski. Ray was a Boy Scout Leader for many years and in his leisure time he enjoyed hunting and fishing. For several years, he was a member of the Ralph Holewinski VFW Post #1518.

Ray is survived by his five children, John (Mollie) Peterson of Gaylord, Richard Peterson of Mesa, AZ, William (Bernadine) Peterson of Traverse City, James (Janice) Peterson of Arlington, TX and Lyneé (Thomas) Heidt of Gaylord; along with seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Regina in December 2021.

A memorial service will take place 11:00 AM Monday, January 16, 2023, at Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service. The family will visit with friends beginning at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on his guestbook below.