Obituary of Col. Leon Petersen

Col. Leon K. "Pete" Petersen, USAF Ret., passed into his next phase with his God on May 11, 2013 at the VNA Hospice House in East Stroudsburg surrounded by his loving family. Col. Petersen was born in Winnebago, IL on September 8, 1933 and moved with his family to Wisconsin. He enlisted in the US Air Force on January 8, 1951, serving his country for 42 years, retiring from the Air Force Reserves in September 1993. During his Air Force career, Col. Petersen advanced through the ranks being promoted to Chief Master Sargeant in 1961 serving as a supply officer. He received a direct commission to Captain in April 1968 under the Deserving Airman Commissioning Program. He then served both in the military and as a civilian employee at McGuire AFB, New Jersey, with his reserve duty at Willow Grove Air Reserve Facility, Pennsylvania. On April 1, 1985 he was promoted to Colonel, moving to Kelly AFB, San Antonio where he remained until his retirement. Col. Petersen's military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, and the United Nations Service Medal. Col. Petersen was an avid golfer, a 4th degree Knight of Columbus, Council 13752 and a faithful member of the St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, Pocono Pines. He enjoyed feeding the birds and animals at the Pocono Paradise home he shared with his wife. Surviving are his wife of 24 years, Jean; daughter: Leslie Dunphy (Michael); stepchildren: Jean Sware (Richard); Frank Dischinger, Jr. (Mary Carroll); and Donna Rominiecki (Ronald); brother: Gary Petersen (Mary Beth); grandchildren: Brooke Pizzi, Kimberly Galgano (Peter), Marc Pitt (Deidre), Kearstin Dischinger, Frank Dischinger, III (Wendy), Ryan Rominiecki, Kristy Landis (Matthew), Matthew Sware, Nicole Dischinger; 6 great grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by stepson, Keith R. Dischinger (Mary) and sister-in-law, Constance S. Sestito. Friends will be received on Thursday, May 16, 2013 from 9-11am at Bolock Funeral Home, 6148 Paradise Valley Road, Cresco. The Reverend Father John Boyle will celebrate a Mass of Christian burial at 11:30am at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, 5112 Pocono Crest Road, Pocono Pines, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, PO Box O, 5112 Pocono Crest Road, Pocono Pines, PA 18350.