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FUNERAL HOME

Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home

11028 Southwest Highway

Palos Hills, Illinois

Les Peterson Obituary

Name: Visitation for Les Peterson
Start: 2023-01-16T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-01-17T02:00:00.000Z
Location: Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home

of Palos Park, Illinois, age 68 years, passed away on January 6, 2023. Les was born on March 5, 1954 in Chicago, IL. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Kate (nee Murphy); his three children, Shane (Hannah Gilbert), Kelly (Kevin) Pendl and Megan (Jimmy Wrobel); and his granddaughter, Reese Kathleen Pendl. Les is also survived by his mother, Francis (nee White) Peterson, his siblings, Linda Heer, Ben B. Peterson II, Shari (Harley) Chapin, Eric Peterson, Glenn (Kim) Peterson, Kristina (Michael) Mondragon and Martha (Jack) Nagle. Les was preceded in death by his father, Ben B. Peterson and his siblings, Phyllis (James) Benbow and Ernie Peterson. Les was a "best friend" and "brother" to many and lived his life with a servant heart – always ready to help when you needed something. Les worked in law enforcement for 50 years and wore many hats in his career. In addition to his work as a public servant, Les also spent 25 years as an educator, teaching law enforcement to local college students. Les had an amazing sense of humor with an infectious laugh and a smile that would light up even the biggest of rooms. When Les wasn't building something, fixing something or doing one of his many interesting hobbies like beekeeping, he could usually be found towing the kids around the lake on innertubes at near-Mach speeds or driving his beloved granddaughter "Baby Reesie" around the yard on the golf cart. Les was a great fan of Bruce Springsteen and would often comment "I'll meet you further on up the road". And, yes, indeed, we will.

Family and friends will gather for a Memorial Visitation on Monday, January 16, 2023 at Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home11028 Southwest Hwy, Palos Hills, IL 60465 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Interment will be private. For information or to express your condolences, please visit www.palosgaidasfh.com or call 708-974-4410

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by SouthtownStar on Jan. 11, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Les Peterson

28 Entries

Pete Kats

February 2, 2023

I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Les. He was a wonderful boss when I worked at the Police Dept at Moraine Valley. Les called me last year and invited me to have breakfast with him, but unfortunately, our schedules never worked out. I regret this very, very much now. I miss seeing my old friends, Linda, sisters, and your dear mom, Francis (all whom I worked with at the Howe Center). I have many fond memories of that time together. Unfortunately, I learned of the funeral service too late, and I am sorry I wasn't there to pay my respects. I will pray that God will comfort your hearts.

Glenn Sturtevant

January 19, 2023

My condolences to the family. While on PHPD Les loved my wife's homemade bread and butter pickles. I took Les smelt fishing at 55th and the lakefront for his first time. We had a great time and continued to do it for a couple of years more. Les was a always smiling and joking around. Sorry for your loss.

Karen Hoff

January 18, 2023

I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Les. While I only had the brief privilege and honor of meeting Les, while he was working at the ILCC, the news of his loss was so very sad. Thank you for your dedicated service in our community, and may you rest in peace.

From the ILCC Team

Planted Trees

Sharon Geisler bragen

January 17, 2023

My condolences to the Peterson Family

Mel Davis

January 16, 2023

May Les rest in peace, when Moraine Valley converted from Security to Law Enforcement, I was with the first team of sworn Police Officers under Les leadership. The last 5 years we spoke frequently. My deepest and most sincere condolences to the family.

Charles & Christine Leuver

Sent Flowers

Woody

January 14, 2023

My condolences to everyone who had a chance to be part of his life.

Keri DuClos - Barter

January 13, 2023

Les (Turtle) was a friend from my childhood and we kept up with each other for several years. I am so saddened to hear of his passing. He was funny, sweet, and kind. My sympathies to his family. He will be missed.

Kevin Glinski

January 13, 2023

Les "Chief" was respected by all the people that worked with him. He was a true gentleman and will leave a legacy of leadership at the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.

Dave Sterba & Dave Fewkes

Planted Trees

Teri Atkenson

January 12, 2023

Kate and family,
So sorry to hear about Les. May you all carry beautiful memories in your hearts. He was always so nice and helpful.
Teri Atkenson

Tom Lamaster

Planted Trees

Linda Munoz

January 10, 2023

My deepest sympathy to the Peterson family on the passing of Les. Linda Steen Munoz

Deanna Storino

January 10, 2023

I am so sorry for your loss. Please know your Stagg family is thinking of you.

Peggy and Larry Yott

Planted Trees

Jolene Cataudella

January 9, 2023

Kate, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Deepest condolence to your family.

Captain Les taking the kids tubing around the lake...

Dan, Carrie, Owen & Ben Nagle

January 9, 2023

We were so very sorry and sad to hear of Les’s passing and your family’s great loss. We loved spending time with him and Meg at the lake. He always took the kids out tubing and made each visit so much fun for us all. His smile and kindness will be greatly missed by the Nagle family. Hugs and our deepest sympathies to you all.

Les, Mor Mor and Meg at Jackson & Andrea´s wedding - Sept 16, 2022

Dan, Carrie, Owen and Ben Nagle

January 9, 2023

May God bless you and your family in this time of sadness.

David Gaidas and Family

January 11, 2023

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

Bernard Akpan

January 9, 2023

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE

I am shocked at the sudden demise of the legendary ILCC Director of Security, astute administrator and Retired Chief of Police, Les Peterson, who served the Illinois Liquor Control Commission and the State of Illinois in an outstanding dimension.

Indeed, this is a great loss to his family, Illinois Liquor Control Commission, and the entire State of Illinois.

I was always proud to reference him as my Boss and leader.
On behalf of myself and my family, I commiserate with the deceased family, friends and the entire staff of ILCC over this great loss. May God Almighty fortify and comfort your hearts in this moment of grief.

Please accept our sincere condolence!
Bernard Akpan
Special Agent.

Rick Goveia

January 9, 2023

Wishing you courage, strength, and love to help you through this loss. Please accept my deepest condolences. I am thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.

Victoria Bonelli

January 9, 2023

So very sorry to hear of your loss Kathy, prayers and thoughts to you and your family

Jeff Routledge

January 8, 2023

I was so very sorry to hear of Les' passing. Les gave me my start in law enforcement 30 years ago and helped me to advance throughout a large part of my career. I always appreciated his friendship, high energy, sense of humor and dedication to law enforcement over the many years I knew him and worked for him when he was the Chief of Police. Les was a person who in many ways was larger than life and had an impact on so many people. You couldn't be around him and not be affected by his optimism and his love of life. Les will be greatly missed. My prayers and condolences go out to his entire family. May God bless and comfort you during this difficult time.

Kessler Family

Sent Flowers

Kelly Sharpe

January 8, 2023

Peterson family, I just wanted to extend my sympathies to you all as well as prayers for your peace and healing from this loss.
I thought a lot of Les as he had been my Chief many years ago in the late 90's early 2000 when I worked as a dispatcher at Moraine Valley.