Joseph C. (Joe) Petersen, age 95, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 31, 2015, in his home in Springfield Mo. He was born January 11, 1920 to Isabel and Peter C. Petersen in Bemidji MN. After graduating from Bemidji High School he attended Crosier Seminary until his enlistment into the US Army. He was activated and joined the Combat Engineers Division serving in the North African campaign. He served his country in WWII from 1942 thru 1946 with bravery, honor, and distinction. Joe obtained the rank of Captain before he was seriously injured just north of Milan Italy in a little village called Dugenta . He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal of Honor. Eventually Joe was admitted to O'Reilly Hospital in Springfield Missouri for reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation. He returned to Bemidji and in 1946 married the love of his life, Marion Brune. Eventually they moved back to Springfield, MO where they made their permanent home and raised their family. Joe was a peaceful man and a loving husband and father. He was a mentor to countless individuals during his lifetime and a model for accepting and defeating life's challenges with determination and courage. God and family were always his priorities. He truly lived his motto of "do unto others". As a devout Christian he generously donated his time and skills to his church, the poor and the homeless populations. He was a skilled, self-taught carpenter where he spent countless hours in his beloved workshop. He was an avid supporter of the Chiefs, the Cardinals, the Royals and the Rams, but mostly the Chiefs. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him, especially by his spouse Marion as he was her "buddy for over 68 years". He was the first to be called by his children and grandchildren for advice on life, plumbing, broken pipes, home improvements and countless other challenges. Joe had a great sense of humor with a contagious laugh. His persistence, determination and resourceful characteristics will be remembered by all. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Isabel and Peter Petersen and his grandson, Douglas E. Batson. He is survived by his wife Marion of over 68 years; daughters; Carol Snider (Kenneth), Marilyn Batson, Peggy Jones, Julie Nickle (Ted), and Mary Phouthone; sons Joe Jr (Nancy), and Tony (Angela); and two brothers, Clifford, and Francis (Rosemary); four sisters, Gurine Brune, Iyone (Arlen) Bartles, Sister Vivian Petersen O.S.B., and Cornelia (Ruben) Smith; 14 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. A special thanks to Amy and Paulette and all of Joe's caregivers for their compassionate, dedicated and professional care. Formal visitation will be at Sacred Heart Church on Thursday Feb 5, 2015 at 10:30 a.m., followed by the funeral mass at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Sacred Heart Church or to The Kitchen. Online condolences can be made at gormanscharpf.com