Lyle D. Peterson, 76, of Bettendorf, passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, after a short illness.

Lyle was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. He was drafted, and inducted on March 12, 1969 and was honorably discharged on January 15, 1971, at the rank of Specialist (E4). He served in Vietnam with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division from August 7, 1969 to August 5, 1970. His service was recognized with numerous honors, including Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Born on September 5, 1948, in Moline, Illinois, Lyle was the son of R. LaVerne and Marie (Malmburg) Peterson. Lyle graduated from Orion High School in 1966 and Joliet Junior College with his Associate Degree in Agriculture Business in 1968. After his service in the U.S. Army, he attended Illinois State, where he met his wife, Carolyn.

On December 9, 1972, Lyle married Carolyn S. Hackbarth in Berwyn, Illinois. Together, they shared a life filled with love and adventure. Lyle worked for various Auto Service Centers in the Quad Cities. After his retirement, he devoted much of his time to advocating for veterans. He was an active member of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 776, the American Legion Post 26, and the Morning Optimist. He received the VVA Vietnam Achievement Award in 2021. He volunteered for the USO at the Rock Island Arsenal, Genesis Hospice Care, and at his church, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport. He spent the last several years working to plan and find funding for the Veterans Memorial Park in Davenport. Lyle was a lifelong Chicago White Sox fan.

Lyle is survived by his beloved wife of more than 52 years, Carolyn; sons, Jon Peterson of Earlham, Iowa, and Jason (Trista) Peterson of Bettendorf; his grandchildren who were his pride and joy, Blaire, Benjamin, and Sloane; brothers, Donald (Beverly) Peterson of Bloomington, Illinois, and Gary (Linda) Peterson of Champaign, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services for Lyle will be 10 am, Friday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport with inurnment to follow at the Rock Island National Cemetery, where military honors will be conducted by VVA Chapter No. 776 and No. 299. Visitation will be Thursday at the church from 3 pm to 7 pm. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Friends of Veterans Memorial Park or to St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Lyle will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his country, and the veterans he passionately supported. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.