PETERSEN, James Cleiburn

Meldrum Mortuary & Crematory, Mesa, Arizona James Cleiburn Petersen May 14, 1926 ~ May 11, 2013 James Cleiburn Petersen passed away Saturday morning, May 11, 2013 in Apache Junction, AZ at the age of 86. Cleiburn was born in Pinedale, AZ on May 14, 1926 to Raymond Niels and Thelma Webb Petersen. He was the oldest of 6 children - Betty, Boyd, Doris, Ruth and Charles. Cleiburn served in the United States Navy as a Gunners Mate during World War II on the USS Stansbury. He later served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Southern States Mission which comprised of Alabama and Mississippi. He had four beautiful and loving daughters, Cheri, Cari, Cami and Carla, with his first wife, Cherryll Tenney. In 1968 he married Lois Schempp and they had four children - Jim, Jace, Jaren and Rachel. Cleiburn worked in the logging industry in the Pinedale/Showlow and Flagstaff areas with the family sawmill. He later drove truck for CTI. out of Cottonwood. After moving to Mesa he drove a cement mixer for twenty years for Tri City Ready Mix. Cleiburn is survived by his wife, Lois, his sisters, Doris Raynor of Mesa, AZ and Ruth Dipple of Stephensville, Tx, his brother Charles of Gilbert, AZ, his daughters, Cheri Petersen and Carla (Ron) Miller of Camp Verde, AZ, Cari (Dale) Dunlap of Pocatello, ID, Cami (Russell) Williams and Rachel (Dustin) Earll of Mesa and his sons, Jim (Gwen), Jace (Stephanie) and Jaren (Jennie) of Mesa. He is also survived by 31 grandchildren and 49 great grandchildren. He is preceeded in death by his sister Betty Speakman and brother Boyd Petersen. Funeral services will be held Thursday May 16th at 10 a.m. in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Udall Ward located on 1st Avenue and Center Street in Mesa with a viewing at 9:00 a.m. Internment will be in the Pinedale, AZ Cemetery on Friday May 17th at 11:00 a.m.