ROCKY MOUNT - Ralph Ernest Peterson, age 85, passed away on Monday, July 8, 2019. Born in Will County, IL on April 3, 1934, he was the son of the late James Peterson and Theresa Gentile Peterson. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Lea Marie Peterson; son, Scott Aaron Peterson; brothers, James Peterson, Jr. and Phillip Peterson; and sister, Marge Worek and brother-in-law, Joseph Worek.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Geraldine "Gerri" Parker Peterson; daughter, Kathy Peterson Gardner of Charlotte; sons, Ralph Peterson and wife, Lorna Kay, of Charlotte, and Tom Peterson and wife, Gay Ann, of Wellington, FL; six grandchildren; sister, Rita Riley of Jolite, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, July 12, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 331 Hammond Street, Rocky Mount with Father Tim Meares officiating. A Wake will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2019 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Vestibule of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with a Rosary being prayed at 7:30 PM.

Burial of Cremains will be held at a later date at Mount Hope Cemetery, Elgin, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to UNC Nash Health Care Systems Hospice & Palliative Care, 2460 Curtis Ellis Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804; Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 331 Hammond Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804; or Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Duke University Medical Center, 231 Bryan Research Bldg., Durham, NC 27710.

Arrangements by Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Rocky Mount.