James E. Peterson, 81, of Rock Island lost his two-year battle with cancer on Wednesday, November 22, 2017, at UnityPoint Health - Trinity Rock Island.

Funeral services are 10 am on Monday at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Ave., Rock Island.  Burial is at the National Cemetery, Arsenal Island.  Visitation is 2 to 4 pm on Sunday at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the General Scholarship Fund at Augustana College or given to a favorite charity.

Born to A. Lee and Ethel (Olson) Peterson on February 18, 1936, in Aledo, Illinois, Jim was graduated in 1954 from Aledo High School. He was a proud graduate of Augustana College, where he participated in swimming, diving, track, and the PUG fraternity.  He completed post graduate studies at Western Illinois University and Northern Illinois University.

In 1969 Jim married Marsha Lyons, whom he met while they were both teaching at Rock Island High School.  While at Rocky, he served as assistant swim coach for the boys swim team.  Jim left teaching to work for the Department of Education for the state of Illinois, where he developed a pilot program for motorcycle safety education in Illinois. He left that position to develop the Quad City franchise for Charles Chips.  By many people in the local area, he was affectionately known as their chip delivery person. Upon selling that franchise, Jim returned to state employment as the manager of the driver license facility. After retirement, Jim began his work as the owner of Peterson Utility Services and until early October, was mowing lawns and enjoying visiting with his customers.

Jim was a long-time member of St. James Lutheran Church in Rock Island, where he served on the church council and ushered.

He considered his greatest accomplishments his children, in whom he took great pride. "The Jammer," as he was affectionately called by the friends of Drew and Kirk, served as a swim coach of several local swim organizations. He was also an avid fan of any sport in which his kids participated and truly enjoyed watching them compete.

Other favorite activities included watching the Cubs, camping at Hidden Lake Campground, working on his various John Deere tractors and equipment, and visiting his children and their families.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Marsha; his sons and daughters-in-law, Drew and Liza Peterson, Trussville, Alabama; Kirk and Rachel Peterson, Urbana, Ohio; and daughter and son-in-law, Elise and Brian Montanari, East Hampton, Connecticut; his grandchildren, Jacob Peterson, Caleb Peterson, Preston Peterson, Cody Peterson, Brylee Montanari, Justin Peterson, and Mia Montanari. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles and Marilyn Peterson, Robert and Jeanette Peterson; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Glenn Swanson; and brother-in-law, John Phillips; and his 14 nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Marsha's sisters, brother, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and sister, Ruth Ann Phillips.

Online condolences may be left at wheelanpressly.com.