Bernice Peterson

Bernice Peterson, daughter of the late Rev. John Jefferson “J.J.” and Lucy (Crewse) Postlewait, was born June 8, 1928 in Graff, Missouri. She went home to join her heavenly father and many family members and friends on her 90th birthday, June 8, 2018.

Bernice was raised in the Number One Community and graduated from Houston High School. Her father was a Free Will Baptist minister so the church doors were seldom opened when she was not there. She was saved and baptized at an early age and continued to serve the Lord her entire life. At the time of her passing, she was a member of the Rock Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, where she worshipped as long as her health permitted.

Bernice was the 9th child (1st daughter) in a family of 15 kids. She was raised, obviously, in a large, close family where they were all taught to love the Lord.

Bernice married Gene Peterson on February 22, 1948. Three children were born to this union.
Gene and Bernice, along with his brother, Richard, started Peterson Gravel and Ready Mix in 1964. She kept books for the company until they sold out to their son, Gary and wife, Cindy, in 1981. Gene “Gravel Man” and Bernice “Gravel Gertie” stayed busy in retirement farming, camping, and fishing with friends and family every chance they got.

A wonderful wife, mother, grandma, and “Nanny Niece”, Bernice was known for her huge meals. Everyone always got their favorite dessert – even if she had to make 12 different things. She was a great cook, who was known for her apple pies, blackberry cobblers, and chicken and noodles. Bernice also grew beautiful flowers and canned or froze everything they could possibly grow in the garden. She also enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles.

Bernice took great pride in her family. She was always supportive of her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, in whatever sport or activities in which they were involved.

Besides her parents, Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Peterson in 2009, brothers, Wayne, Wade, Harold, James, Carl, Curtis, Clyde, Johnnie, Paul, and Gene, and sisters, Freda Edwards and baby Sylvia.

She is survived by her children, Beverly Breedlove and husband, Jim, Gary Peterson and wife, Cindy, and Patti Housley and fiancé, Craig Perque, six grandchildren, Mike Breedlove and wife, Jodi, Melanie Feigenbaum and husband, Frank, Heath Housley and wife, Marla, Jessica Blackburn and husband, Gabe, Adam Housley, and Matt Peterson and wife, Erica, twelve great-grandchildren, Madison, Mason, Aspen, Eva, Otto, Hank, Isabel, Regan, Theran, Hudson, Ryker, and Bridger, one brother, Dean Postlewaite, one sister, Marge McCarty, one brother-in-law, Richard Peterson, sisters-in-law, Nina, Dorene, and Mary Peterson, and Eldora Wood, many nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss her a great deal.

The Peterson family would like to thank the staff at Autumn Oaks Caring Center, Hospice Compassus, Shanda Hubbard, and Dr. Hill and everyone at Mountain Grove Medical and Laser who provided compassion and care for Bernice.