Melvin Joseph Petersen, 80, passed away at his home Friday April 6, 2001 after a brief battle with cancer.
Melvin was born Feb 5, 1921 in Joseph City, AZ the son of Joseph L. Petersen and Eliza Cliff. He married Jeneal Moody in the St. George LDS Temple in 1947.
Melvin was a lifelong educator, receiving degrees in Social Sciences, Religious Education and Education Administration from BYU. He loved teaching all his life. His academic teaching began as a Seminary instructor in 1948 and concluded with his retirement as a Religion instructor at BYU in 1987. He was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many capacities. Melvin served as a Bishop, a counselor in the Stake Presidency, Patriarch, and sealer in the Provo LDS Temple. He and his wife, Jeneal were also active in the missionary effort, serving four missions with her to Tarawa, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and Southern California, and one as a young Elder in the Central States Mission.
Melvin is survived by five sons and three daughters, Paula Sabey, Ameri-can Fork, Joseph Petersen, Springville, Marsha Christiansen, Cedar Fort, Mark Petersen, Orem, David Petersen, Pleasant Grove, Shari Horne, Provo, Todd Petersen, Atlanta, GA, Scott Petersen, Kaysville; one brother, Loral Petersen, Joseph City, AZ; 50 grandchildren; and 30 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Clyde, Arthur, Herbert.
Services will be under the direction of the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, Wed. April 11, 2001, 2 pm in the Lakeridge LDS Stake Center, 158 E. 1100 S, Orem. A viewing will be held Tues. at the funeral home, 646 E 800 N, Orem, 6-8pm and prior to the services Wed. at the church, 12:30-1:45pm. Burial, Orem City Cemetery.