On April 25, 2023 M.J “Icee or Big Pete” left this world to fly home with his beloved Peggy Joyce (grandma). He was surrounded by family and we held his hand, sang to him, and assured him it was ok to let go that he didn’t have to take care of us anymore. Although now that is quickly feeling like a lie.
M.J was born on April 7, 1935 to Joe A Petersen and Ethel L Petersen, having one sister Josephine M. Petersen which all were waiting to welcome him home lovingly with grandma. He served in the Navy before settling down and moving from California to his final residence here in Springfield, MO. He had 4 children by previous marriages. Joey, Robert, Sabrina, and Donna. Several grandchildren and family members from his home town. Here with us after marrying Peggy (Joyce) he became father to Christy and David Lee Goodman, grandfather to Jennifer, Zachary, Misty, Dustin, Lindsay, David, April, Shane, DJ, Sasha, Tyler, great-grandfather to Jordan, Christopher, Cameron, Dylon, RJ, Trinity, Sammy, Tucker, Maverick, Zavion, Zariah, Brighton, Eve, and a great great to Miss Chevelle, and family and profound friend to many across the globe.

There are many things I could say about my grandfather. Oddly I’m struggling for words (which he must be loving currently). He came into our lives magically, stepped into a role of stepfather and husband to my grandma, mom, and uncle in a new place and new energy for himself. And instantly became a father in every way to all of us – truthfully the only one any of us ever knew. To say that we are feeling a profound sadness and loss doesn’t describe this. But I will say that the day he strolled into that kitchen plateful of chocolate chip cookies and stole my grandma’s angelic heart was the day that he unknowingly saved an entire family for generations. And I for one am just so eternally grateful and blessed to have been able to call this man whom I/ we all learned so much from my grandpa but rightfully should acknowledge that “I love you and thank you eternally dad – because that’s who you are.”
Forever yours, Baby Jenny, and us all.