Dean found his final peace on June 17, 2018. He was born in Turlock to the late Lester and Dorothy Peterson of Hilmar. He was raised on the Peterson Dairy and attended Hilmar High School. He met Nancy Whitaker at Beulah Covenant Church. They married and settled in Hilmar to farm and raise their family. Dean had a love for life, family and community. 

Before retiring to Scottsdale and San Diego, Dean was active in the Hilmar Covenant Church, Hilmar Fire Department, Hilmar Lions Club, Hilmar School Board, San Joaquin Valley Dairymen and Supervisor for Merced County. 

He is survived by his wife Nancy of 60 years; daughter DeeAnn (Roy) and son Alan (Michelle); siblings Gary Peterson and Joan (Roger) Chenoweth; his five grandchildren, Lincoln, Giordano, Benjamin, Sydney and Olivia. 

A Celebration of Life for Dean will be held at 11 a.m. this Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Hilmar Covenant Church. Private interment will be held at North Hilmar Cemetery.    In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dean’s name to Hilmar Covenant Church P.O. Box 340, Hilmar, CA 95324 or Shriners Hospital.  Please share your memories at www.AllenMortuary.com.