Derek R. Peterson

Derek R. Peterson, 35, of Winter Garden, FL., formerly of Chatham, IL, died October 5, in Winter Garden, after a brief struggle with pancreatic cancer. Born June 17, 1974 to Robert H. and Carrie Jo (Campo) Peterson, in Glenarm, Derek attended Chatham schools, Lincoln Land Community College and Bradley University, Peoria, IL, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Derek was preceded in death by his grandparents, Russell and Kathryn Peterson and Tony and Josephine Campo. He is survived by his parents; brother, Eric (wife Tanya); nephews Colin and Evan all of Highland, IL; and god-son Ryan McGinnis of Oakland, FL; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Derek began his career with Walt Disney World, Orlando, on the College Internship Program in 1999. His most recent position was Event Manager, Special Events Marketing. His employment with WDW provided Derek the opportunity to travel Hong Kong to assist in the Grand Opening of Hong Kong - Disney, and a second trip which involved further support of that facility. He performed similar support services for the fifteenth anniversary of the opening of Disney - Paris, France with an additional trip later for additional support of the Paris park. Derek also participated in the consecration, prescribed by Polynesian tradition, of the ground for a new Disney Vacation Club planned for Hawaii. In October 2004, Derek was privileged to receive the Disney "Partners in Excellence" award. Partners In Excellence is the company's most prestigious lifetime achievement award, celebrating those Cast Members who have achieved sustained, excellent job performance as measured by Guest Satisfaction, Cast Excellence and Business Results. The goal of the Partners In Excellence program is to formally and globally recognize the top 1.5% of eligible Cast Members through the manager level for clearly outstanding performance. Family will receive friends for a memorial gathering from 4:00 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 16, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 700 E. Spruce, Chatham, IL with Rev. John H. Nolan, celebrant. Memorial contributions may be made to The Lusgarten Foundation, 1111 Stewart Ave., Bethpage, NY 11714 www.lusgarten.org (memoline specify - in memory of Derek Peterson) 100% of donations go towards Pancreatic Cancer Research, or to Give Kids the World www.gktw.org (specify - in memory of Derek Peterson).