Rebecca M. Peterson

Rebecca M. Peterson, 77, of Colona, Illinois, formerly of Coal Valley, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at her home.

Services are 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Trimble Funeral Home, Coal Valley, with The Rev. Jon Sedgwick officiating. Burial is in Woodhull Cemetery. Visitation 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday. Memorials may be made to the Rebecca Peterson Memorial Fund to be established by the family.

The former Rebecca Mae Williams was born February 13, 1942, in Andover, Illinois, to Kenneth and Vera (Draper) Williams. She married Berton Raymond Peterson, Jr. on October 24, 1959, in Orion, Illinois. He died January 9, 2009.

Rebecca was a wonderful and caring mother and homemaker who also spent time working day care and at the Niabi Zoo, of which she and her husband were very strong supporters. She was a member of New Hope Baptist Church, Coal Valley. She lived her entire life in a way that she always was helping others before herself. Above all else, family was the most important thing to Rebecca, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by three children, Todd (Amy) Peterson of Orion, Jeffrey (Fiancé Jean Durbin) Peterson of Colona, and Jennifer (Michael) Smith of Davenport, Iowa; grandchildren, Korey Peterson, Michael (Fiancé Megan Schoephorster) Smith, Heather (Brian) Stichter, Bree Peterson, Jeffrey Peterson, and Jacob Peterson; step-grandsons, David (Jennifer) Jackson and Jeff Jackson; great-grandchildren, McKenna, Madison, Hudson, Kipton, Carson, Riley, Miles, Kirsten, Westyn, Trace, Damon, Aiden, Gabby, Dylan, and Noah; a brother, Vern (Louise) Williams of Coal Valley; and many nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Ricky Williams. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and two sisters, Patricia Headspeth and Corie Stoehr.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.