Celebrating the Life of Jeff Peterson
Memorial Service Video
Services will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Village Church of Bartlett. Visiting hours will start at 9AM, followed by a Celebration of Life at 11AM. Come back to this page to view the livestream of the video, as well as a recording after the stream is completed.
Jeff Peterson
1958 – 2022
Jeffrey A Peterson, 63, of Elgin Illinois, passed away on Tuesday January 18, 2022 at AMITA Health St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. He was born on December 19, 1958 in West Warwick, Rhode Island to Francis and Nancy Peterson. Graduated class of 1977 from Randolph Central School, Randolph NY. Also graduated with Associate of Arts degree from Baptist Bible College of Pennsylvania in 1979. Graduated with Bachelor of Science from Elmhurst College, Elmhurst Illinois in 1995. He was united in marriage to Diane L Baker in 1981.
He enjoyed being a husband, father, and “Papa”. He was passionate about Jesus and motorcycles. He enjoyed serving in children’s ministry and Awana at Village Church of Bartlett, where he was a member for 21 years. He was a Road Captain, Chapter President, and Chaplain for the Disciples of God chapter of Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) of Illinois. He was the founder and president of FastLane Chicago, a ministry of CMA. He was the chaplain of Chicago United Riders.
He is survived by his father Francis “Pete” Peterson, his brother Pat, his wife Diane, his sons Michael (Miranda), Joel (Heather), and Daniel (Sophie), and his grandchildren Mollie, Mason, Chloe, and Jaden, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his mother Nancy Tyler Peterson and his sister Jennifer.
We are so grateful for Jeff’s life and all he poured into our kids and our church family. He will be so missed. Peterson family, we love you and are praying for you as you mourn this incredible loss.
Today there is a Jeffrey A. Peterson sized hole in our community at Village. The last few weeks of his hospitalization it would be hard to miss the many gaps that – not having him around – has left.
I am sad, I have found myself staring a lot, and capture the words in my mind quite often “this is so unnecessary”. I’m not sure why that is my go to phrase running amuck. I feel like the Lord has gently lifted my words to encounter Himself and mercifully reassured me that in his economy unnecessary things aren’t a thing. He takes all the things and uses them. He remains before all the things and holds all the things together. That in the loss of such a faithful servant, God remains steadfast.
As i think about knowing Jeff over the last many moons, It’s hard to put on paper all these moments where you watch God writing someone’s story. When we live in community with someone so many moments intertwine. Watching adults mature in Christ so notably is always an honor. Watching him as a parent of high school boys to now a grandfather. Where maybe sometimes you are across the field at a church picnic and you just watch their face light up talking about a motorcycle. Or at an outdoor services in 2020 pulling me aside and sharing lament. So much passion to serve. So much passion for the people he encountered anywhere to understand the person and work of Jesus and how that could impact their own story.
Jeff was a connector. Jeff loved people well. Jeff was an enthusiast. Jeff was a protector. He loved his wife very deeply, his sons, daughters in law, and grandchildren. He was hospitable. He was compassionate.
My greatest joy with Jeff has been the last months or so working in Village Kids together. Jeff enthusiastically rose to the occasion to serve on Sunday mornings and connect with our 3rd and 4th graders. Of whom, one is my son. At first I thought Jeff might loose his mind with their energy, in a room that at first feels like maybe it doubles and insane asylum, echoing. It can be legit chaos by the purest definition. But Jeff reframed and clearly saw the assignment: Connect with the hearts of these students and show them the gospel. The 9 am is a small class and i consistently walked by watching Jeff on the floor, playing with the kids. Turning conversations to spiritual things. Jeff and Eliex had become VK buddies.
Jeff also ran our technology for the 9 am Village Kids and served in Awana so faithfully for so long. A few weeks ago, i was talking to him as he was sorting stuffed animals on his knees in our gym. There was some interchange of conversation that was something like me asking if this where he imagined himself in adulthood with a laugh, and although i can’t capture the words in my memory, his response filled my heart with the feeling… that is how i want all our kids to be cared for. With that joy, honor and enthusiasm to be here. This was exactly what he wanted to be doing in adulthood… ministering the gospel to children. He encouraged many times very sincerely in my pursuit of the same.
My heart grieves with the Peterson family for their loss, and celebrates a life lived with the grace and mercy of knowing Jesus. Whether across the field, passing in the hallway as he hung up his motorcycle coat, lamenting together, or serving together it has been a joy to watch Jeff’s story unfold and to be in his Village. I pray his legacy of enthusiasm, connection, protection, and service to Jesus will live on in those who have known his story.
Jeff, displayed the verse to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul!!! He also displayed it by serving the Lord with all his heart, mind and soul!! I was able to see all this in three different ways! 1. He served the Lord in Awana! It was a pleasure to see him lead in many ways such as bringing his guitar to lead the songs, to listen or help in any way! 2. He helped me in many ways in making the church facilities better. 3. Finally in his service to the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA). He was a leader with many caps to wear and led many to Jesus that we do not know! Jeff will be missed by many; His legacy will be remembered by many! Prayers to Jeff’s family for peace and comfort! He was a Godly man who loved his family.
My friend, and brother in Christ served with me in Awana(great leader.) Really sorry for your loss Diane, Joel, Heather, and all others. I am heartbroken that Jeff is no longer here. It is going to be extremely hard to fill his shoes.
See you soon my friend!!! Say hello to my Mom if you run into her.
Blessings to the Peterson’s family.
Jeff, you left a legacy that will be remembered for a very long time. So thankful to know you and have the confidence that we will see you again in heaven.
I first met Jeff in the fall of 1977 at Baptist Bible College. We were in the same suite in Shaffer dorm. Jeff was one of the hardest working students and one of the toughest competitors on our cross country team. Always committed to giving his best for Christ and others I am honored to know that Jeff considered me his friend.
Diane, may you draw near to God as He draws near to you.
Dave B
I praise the Lord for Jeff and his testimony over the years for the Lord Jesus Christ. Diane, we are praying for you and wish we could be there but It is not possible. God will give you the grace needed even in the hard times when you are alone. Heb.4:16 “Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need.” God is with you. Wish we have had more time to be with you both over the years but there is a day coming when we will all be rejoicing together in heaven! Praise the Lord for the eternal salvation that He give us because of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are praying for all of you. Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Mat. 28:20. We love you.
Wishing I could be there is person to celebrate Jeff’s life with you all! His commitment to ministry and pouring into others has always stood out to me. I remember his willingness to teach Sunday school back when I was in high school and His heart for the Lord made an impression on me. And he never stopped! What a legacy he has of pointing others to Jesus. Will continue to pray for you Diane, Joel, Heather and family!
Over many years Jeff and I were in bible studies, community group, AWANA and worshipped together. Jeff was a man who took the gospel of Jesus Christ seriously. He believed that faith was an action verb. By grace we were saved and the result should be action out of love & joy.
Diane, that was the best, Christ honoring memorial service l have ever attended (even though live streaming from Minnesota)! Jeff’s life is certainly worth celebrating, and now he is celebrating in Heaven with our dear Jesus, whom his life reflected.
I am glad to have gotten to know Jeff a little bit when y’all visited us in Memphis, and when he visited us in Fargo. Of course, l learned much about him through my husband Jon, who was his friend through adolescent and teenage years, as they grew up in the Lord.
Diane, you are a beautiful woman of God, and you radiated the love for your husband, family, and Jesus today. I know God will keep you in perfect peace, because your mind is stayed on Him.
Dear Jeff had a heart for others to come to salvation through the finished work of Jesus Christ. We worked together in the Community Group ministry. His heart to love others to the Lord and provide for their physical needs was proof of his servant’s heart. I imagine that he’s heard the words, “Well done good and faithful servant!” from his beloved Savior this week. My heart is heavy that this side of glory we won’t get to benefit from his ministry anymore, but I’m so thankful that he is no longer suffering in his physical body and he’s worshipping God!
I have so many fond memories of Jeff, stemming back from our childhood in Randolph, on into his adult life. There are so many stories I could tell. One of the many things I have admired about Jeff throughout the years is his determination to do something he believed in; regardless of how difficult it may have been for him. I remember encouraging Jeff to start singing something, back then, he didn’t believe he could do. He lacked confidence and struggled to hit the notes, but we practiced and practiced until he learned to hear the notes and stay on key. Jeff went on to develop his newly found ability until he was singing solos in church and in the school choir. After hearing him sing now, one would have never guessed that there was ever a time when he couldn’t sing. His confidence grew after this, and he rose above the naysayers and the school bullies and set his sights on other endeavors like track and field, setting several school records. Jeff’s ability to apply himself to something he was passionate about was inspiring. Once he put his mind to something, he wouldn’t quit until he had achieved his goal. His love for the Lord was no exception to this. I remember times as young teens, praying together and sharing Jesus with other high school students. Jeff loved the Lord and wanted everyone to know the Lord as he did.
I know I will see him again and it is a comfort to think of him singing and dancing in the presence of the Lord. My heart is grieving, and I regret not reaching out to him recently to tell him how I feel about him and how grateful I am to have shared in his life. Jeff, it has been an honor to have known you!
Diane, I wanted you to know, the last time Jeff and I spoke he was telling me how much he loved you. He loved all of his family so very much. I will always think of Jeff as a dear friend.
To Jeff’s father and brother, I would also like to say, my memories of you all are very dear. Thank you for letting me be a part of your family. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all to comfort you and give you peace.
Sincere condolences on losing a Dad, husband or friend d in Jeff. Peace be with you. Sorry we couldn’t make it to the services today.
I was a colleague of Jeff, and although our paths crossed intermittently, as i am based in Germany, I remember his humour and pragmatism. He was a great asset to our team and our company and will be sorely missed. I watched some parts of the memorial service and was touched by the tributes. Condolences to the family, friends and all those that know him.