John M. Peterson, 67

John Michael Peterson was born on Oct. 1, 1952, in Ulysses, Kan., to Donald and Laura Peterson. He went home to be with our Lord peacefully at his home in Blanchard, Idaho, on June 13, 2020.

After graduating high school in 1970, he joined the U.S. Army and served as a military police officer from 1972 to 1975. This is where he met his future wife, Kathline Peterson, whom he married on Dec. 23, 1975. It was also in 1975 that he accepted an honorable discharge as an E5.

After his discharge from the Army, John and Kat moved to California before moving back to Kansas, where they had three children: Keith, Christina and Elizabeth.

While in Kansas, John served as a deputy sheriff for four years and later won both the Democratic and Republican votes to become the sheriff of Greeley County for four years.

In 1986, John and his family moved back to California, where he was the director of security at the North Ridge Fashion Center. After the North Ridge Earthquake in 1994, the family decided to make the beautiful North Idaho their permanent home.

While in North Idaho, John served as a mechanic for 26 years. After much hard work and hours of training and studying, he earned his ASE Master Mechanic Certification. John spent his last 10 years faithfully fixing cars for Reliable Auto and Truck in Hayden.

In John’s spare time he loved reading, spending time with his family, helping friends figure out their more interesting automotive issues, and sending funny memes to all his family and friends.

John is survived by his wife, Kathline Peterson; children Keith Peterson, Christina Peterson and Elizabeth Hiemenz; daughter-in-law, Kris Peterson; son-in-law, Josef Hiemenz; grandchildren, Joseph, Natalia, Michael, Johann and Etta; sister, Joyce Baker; brother, James Peterson and stepbrother, John Rust.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 26, 2020, at Sherman-Campbell Funeral Home, 43 Wisconsin St., in Priest River, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to the GoFundMe account to help the family with any unexpected expenses.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.

Please contact us on John Peterson’s Facebook page for more information or call Elizabeth at 208-819-2214.