John Charles “Charlie” Peterson, former co-owner of Johnson Truck Bodies, died September 25, 2012, at his cabin in Sarona WI. He was 81. Born May 19, 1931, in Rice Lake WI to Oscar and Emily (Johnson) Peterson, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music. He served in the US Army from 1952-55 and married Juanita Severson in 1956. Peterson worked for Johnson Truck Bodies and later owned and operated the plant with Ed Ricci. Peterson retired in 1999 after 44 years of work. He is survived by his wife Juanita Peterson of Rice Lake; a son and daughter-in-law, Jon and Turi Peterson of St Cloud MN; their children, Joshua, Tabitha, Jobe, Jacob, and Tatum; a daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Joe Loge of Foley MN; a sister, Janet (Lloyd) Campbell of Barron WI; and nephews and nieces. Funeral services were held October 1 at Appleyard's Home for Funerals in Rice Lake with interment in the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner WI.
James Simpson, co-president of Marion Body Works, died October 4 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident near his home in Clintonville WI. He was 51. Simpson operated Marion Body Works with his brother-in-law, Curt Ignacio. Survivors include Simpson's wife of 26 years, Lynne; sons Josh, Nathan, and James; father, Vinson “Bud” Simpson; and his father's wife, Brenda Hait.