CORDOVA FAMILY SUFFERS MORE LOSSES 

We have received word of the loss of two people that have been involved with  Cordova Dragway Park. 

Longtime racer and friend, Donald (Don) Peterson passed away on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 from complications of a stroke. Don raced for a number of years at Cordova Dragway Park and most would remember him behind the wheel of his black Chevy step side pick-up truck. 

Former employee and friend, Michael (Mike) Rick passed away on Tuesday, January 1, 2008 of an auto accident in Missouri. Mike worked at several major events at Cordova Dragway Park, both in Club Cordova and the spectator parking lot. 

The Cordova Dragway Park employees and staff mourn the loss of these people and extend our sympathies to their families. 

Donald D. Peterson, 71 of Geneseo, Illinois. 

Funeral services will be 10:30 am Saturday, January 5, 2008 at Vandemore Funeral Home, Geneseo. Rev. Robert K. Freeman will officiate. Burial will be in the North Cemetery, Geneseo, where Military Honors will be conducted by the Geneseo VFW Post 5083. Friends may call from 5-7 pm Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be left to the Donald D. Peterson Memorial Fund.

Donald was born on February 21, 1936 in Phenix Township, rural Geneseo the son of Ralph E. and Orva V. Whitaker Peterson. He was a 1954 graduate of Geneseo High School. Donald served his country in the Marine Corp Reserve from 1954 – 1958. He was united in marriage to Yvonne Jones on October 2, 1982 in Davenport, IA. Donald had been employed as a Truck Driver for 39 years lastly working for Consolidated Freight Co. After he retired in 1994 he was employed as a Truck Driver Instructor for Scott Community College. Donald was a member of Teamsters Union Local #371 and a former member of Geneseo Moose Lodge #990. He was an avid and longtime drag racer. He built and raced many of his own cars and participated in the National Drag Racing competition. He received the award for being the oldest driver on the track. Donald also enjoyed fishing

Michael Rick, 29 of Cordova, Illinois.  

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Gibson Funeral Home, Port Byron. Burial will be in Cordova Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established for the benefit of his children.

Michael was born Jan. 6, 1978, in Morrison, the son of Steven and Patricia Taulbee Rick. He married April Chavez on April 29, 2006, in Cordova.

Mike graduated from Erie High School. He was employed as a boilermaker, being employed by Gray Cor Company, Hammond, Ind. He was currently working at the Thomas Hill Power House in Missouri. Mike was a member of the NTL Boilermakers. He enjoyed football, fishing, playing horse shoes, boating and riding a four-wheeler.