Dahlgren - Lavern Peters, 88, of Dahlgren, IL passed away peacefully at home on January 31, 2026. He was born on October 22, 1937 in Mill Shoals Township in White County, IL to Simon & Emma (Hucker) Peters. On November 5, 1961 he married Judy (Murphy) Peters who survives.

Lavern began his career with FS Wayne-White, before leaving for the U.S. Army. After he returned from the military, he continued working for FS at Springerton, IL and he retired as the Plant Manager for FS Wabash Valley Service Company in McLeansboro. In addition to his career with FS, he was also a full-time farmer. He was a member and an elder at the First Christian Church in McLeansboro.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing pinochle, and riding his ATV and motorcycle. He also enjoyed camping and fishing at the Kentucky Dam on the Tennessee River. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lavern is survived by his wife Judy Peters of Dahlgren; his son Brad Peters Sr. & wife Kim of Dahlgren; his daughter Cheryl Swafford & husband Tony of Danville, IL; 10 grandchildren: Lindsay Arndt & husband Kyle, Bradley Peters Jr., Mitchell Swafford, Haeley Peters, Brandon Peters, Colton Hagen & wife Hannah, MacKinsey Gullen & husband James, Parker Simonton & husband Dylan, Payton Ostrowski & husband Daniel, and Macey Diehl; 16 great-grandchildren: Lincoln, Leo, MaKenna, Olivia, Clara, Waylon, Elaina, Nolan, Cooper, Laken, Granger, Ledger, Landrie, Emersyn, Kason, and Koehn; a brother James L. Peters & wife Sharon of Smithland, KY; a sister-in-law Pat Page of Dahlgren, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents Simon & Emma Peters, a sister Valeda Gebauer & husband Gene, a brother Charles Peters & wife Judy, his father-in-law & mother-in-law Ray & Leah Murphy, and 2 brothers-in-law: Gordon Page and Ray Murphy & wife Bonnie.

Funeral services for Lavern Peters will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Gholson Funeral Home in Dahlgren, IL with Pastor Denise Burke officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 6 at Gholson Funeral Home in Dahlgren. Interment will follow the funeral services at I.O.O.F. "Oddfellows" Cemetery in Dahlgren, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Lavern's memory to the First Christian Church in McLeansboro or to the Hamilton County FFA and will be accepted at Gholson Funeral Home.

Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gholsonfuneralhome.com