Grantsville, Utah. The patriarch of our family, Joe W. Peterson, passed away at home of natural causes in Grantsville, Utah, March 2, 2015. Born June 1, 1923 in Grantsville he was the youngest, and last surviving, child of Swedish immigrant Lenus John and Olivia Johnson Peterson. His siblings, Vaunita Gollaher, Archie, Brent, Wesley and Parley Peterson all predeceased him. He graduated from Grantsville High School with the Class of 1941. Joe and Enid Parkinson were married Jan 5, 1945 in Ely, Nevada. The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served as the Bishop of the Grantsville 5th Ward. He played on Grantsville Second Ward All Church Men’s Basketball Championship team in 1944 and was awarded the MVP. Joe worked at the Tooele Army Depot for 8 years, and then went to work at American Salt Company as plant superintendent. He made many lasting friendships there. He left American Salt Company, and with his good friend Jim Palmer and the Richards brothers from Salt Lake, purchased Hardy Salt Company, in Lake Point. He retired in 1980. He was also a partner in the Grantsville Development Corporation. This company constructed numerous buildings in the Grantsville area including; the former Key Bank building, South Fork Hardware building, the former Skyline Restaurant, the Grantsville Federal Credit Union building, the Key Bank building in Tooele, and the one-half million gallon water tank used by Grantsville City. The company also did contract work for the Tooele Army Depot. Joe also served as the President of Grantsville Irrigation Company. He leaves behind his wife Enid, sons Roger (Maureen) and Joe Ray (Judy), daughter-in-law Barbara Peterson, son-in-law Gale Hanson, 9 grandchildren, & 29 great grandchildren. His son Kent Warren and daughter JoAnn Hanson preceded him in death. Services to celebrate his life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at the Grantsville Utah West Stake Center, 115 East Cherry, Grantsville, Utah 84029. A viewing will be held Saturday morning from 11:00 – 12:30 at the same location. Burial will be in the Grantsville, Utah cemetery. The family expresses deepest gratitude to Barbara and her staff at Pine Mountain Hospice, Michelle and her staff at Diamond Jane’s Assisted Living, and Didericksen Memorial for their kind and compassionate care.
