Ralph W. Peterson, 86, of Carpentersville, a retired operating engineer, died of heart failure Tuesday, June 18, in Sherman Hospital, Elgin. A lifelong resident of Carpentersville, Mr. Peterson graduated from Dundee High School and served in the Army during World War II. As an operating engineer, Mr. Peterson worked in construction and in excavation. He was a member of Operating Engineers Local 150 in Chicago and worked in residential construction in Carpentersville and for Material Service Inc., a sand and gravel pit in Chicago. He retired in the early 1980s. He was active in local Boy Scout Troop 32 in Carpentersville for more than 50 years and for the last 16 years was a trustee of Dundee Township Cemeteries. “He was a hard-working and honest man,” said his son, James. Other survivors include his wife of 61 years, Mildred “Millie”; a daughter, Sue Palumbo; and three grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in Miller Funeral Home, 504 W. Main St., West Dundee. Services will be private.
