Ernest "Pete" Pedersen

Ernest "Pete" Pedersen, 63, of Biloxi, passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2007 in Ocean Springs. Mr. Pedersen had been a resident of the coastal community for 36 years. He retired from the United States Air Force as a Master Sergeant, earning a Bronze Star in Vietnam. He was a member of the D'Iberville Volunteer Fire Department from 1974 until 1986, after which he joined the West Jackson County Volunteer Fire Department, where he had been serving as Chief for the past 19 years. He has also been an associate instructor with Mississippi State Fire Academy since 1995 and was employed by BAE Systems. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Lillian Pedersen, Sr. and brother Edward Pedersen. Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Shirley Pedersen; daughter, Dawn (Kevin) LeRose of Biloxi; son, Todd (Marsha) Pedersen of Marion, AR; a brother, David Pedersen of Chicago, IL and two grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Monday, February 12, 2007 at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes. Funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, February 12, 2007 in the chapel of the funeral home. Burial to follow at Biloxi National Cemetery, where full military honors will be held.