of Mountain Home, AR

April 14, 1940 - January 1, 2024

Mr. Michael Peterson, 83, of Mountain Home, Arkansas passed away Monday, January 1, 2024, in Mountain Home. He was born on April 14, 1940, in Helena, Montana to Donald and Marcella (Barnett) Peterson. He was a member of St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church and a U. S. Navy Veteran who liked having grand adventures, woodcarving, making rosaries, fishing, camping, amateur photography, and just generally being out in nature. He was a devoted family man who loved nothing better than spending time with his family and could never say no to someone in need, whether it was for an individual or non-profit organization.

Mike's life started busy, at the age of five he sold newspapers on the State Capitol steps in Billings, Montana with his brother and sister. His newspaper career continued when the Peterson family moved to Mill City, Oregon where his father was owner and editor of the Mill City Enterprise Newspaper. Mike sold newspapers, set linotype and worked the printing press among other things. Later when the family moved to Gresham, Oregon they opened an ice cream parlor. During high school, Mike worked as a soda jerk at the family business and as a lifeguard. After high school, he attended college and joined the Naval Reserves. Following college, he began work at Western Airlines in Los Angeles, California and enjoyed traveling. While at the airlines he decided to join the Navy to serve in Vietnam. Before shipping out though, he was stationed in San Diego, California where he met and married his wife of 58 years, Mary (Pottinger) Peterson. When he finished his tour, he and his wife continued to reside in San Diego before moving to Mountain Home where he started as a carpenter. He then began his career as an electrician working with EIR Electrical. From there he started his own business, Peterson Electric, which he retired from after 50 years.

Mike is survived by his wife: Mary Peterson; 4 children: Cathy Leppold (Jerry), Jim Peterson, Bill Peterson, and Mary Jo Haworth (Brad); 14 grandchildren: Anne, Kailey, Greg, Patrick (Kiera), Michael, Adam (Avery), Mikey, Elizabeth (Nick), Katie (Chris), Jacob, Bradydee, Daniel, Kevin, and Karli; 1 great-grandchild: Makayla; 3 siblings: Diane Allen, Sylvia Loftin, and Susan Price; 3 sisters-in-law: Margaret Nichols (Tim), Diane Peterson, and Anne Meridien; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents: Donald and Marcella Peterson and 4 siblings: Donald Peterson, Jr., Jane Lemmon, Marie Valinda Peterson, and Gregory Peterson.

A visitation will be held from 3:30-6:00pm with a rosary service beginning at 6:00pm on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at Roller Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church with Jim Peterson, Bill Peterson, Patrick Leppold, Michael Leppold, Adam McLean, Michael McLean, Daniel McLean, Kevin McLean, Chris Hopkins, and Steven Schlemer serving as pallbearers. Interment will follow at Baxter Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller Funeral Home
Highway 5 North
Mountain Home, AR  72654
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com