MONTPELIER - Vernal Eugene Peterson, 84, died on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999, in the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital in Montpelier. He was born Dec. 15, 1915, in Montpelier to Ira and Julie Dunn Peterson, and was the fifth of seven children. He spent his childhood years in both Montpelier and Paris. He attended Paris Elementary, moving back to Montpelier his second year of high school, where he graduated from Montpelier High School in 1934. He went on to college and graduated from Utah State University in 1940 with a Bachelors Degree in education.
Vernal married Hazel Loveday on Jan. 14, 1938. Their union produced five sons and one daughter. While married, Vernal fulfilled a two year mission in Cal. for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints where he served as district president. He was an active member of the LDS church and served as Bishop of the Montpelier Third Ward for five years. He also served as Gospel Doctrine teacher, teacher of the fifteen years olds, stake dance director, and home teacher.
Vernal taught school for two years and then leased a service station. He then purchased the Studebaker dealership which he ran for five years and then moved to Kemmerer, Wyoming, where he purchased the Buick and Chevrolet Garage. In Kemmerer he organized the driver's training program and furnished the cars for the school. He served as PTA president in both Montpelier and Kemmerer, was the county March of Dimes Chairman, and served many years on the Lincoln County School Board. After returning to Montpelier he and his son, Russell, purchased the Pontiac and Cadillac Garage. Vernal's salesmanship, hard work, dedication, and winning ways won many trips for him and his wife. They did extensive traveling throughout the world.
The most important thing to Vernal was his family. He purchased a home in Bear Lake just for family gatherings. Vernal was a very generous person and did much to help children and others in need.
Vernal is survived by his wife Hazel, his son Russell Loveday and Janet of Montpelier, Robert Allen and Virginia of McCammon, his daughter, Lanette and Larry Hansen of Logan, Utah, eleven grandchildren, two great grandchildren, two sisters, Irish Clayton of Salt Lake City, Lucile of Salmon, and one brother Fay of Ripon, Cal. He was preceded in death by three sons, Jerry Vernal, Steven Loveday, Jefferey Scott, three brothers, James Peterson, Russell Peterson, Earl Peterson, and one sister Ruth Wallentine.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Sept. 3, at 1:00 p.m. in the Montpelier 6th Ward Chapel at 585 N. 8th St. Burial will be in the Montpelier Cemetery.