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Our Story

Peterson Wallin Knox Heritage

Vernon Wallin, son of Swedish Immigrant parents in New Windsor, Illinois,  purchased the Snyder Furniture and Funeral Homes.  When Vernon bought the furniture and funeral homes, he received financial backing from a New Windsor friend, A.V. Peterson who operated the Peterson and Anderson Grocery in New Windsor.  A corporation was formed, Peterson-Wallin, and the business included stores and funeral homes in Cambridge, Orion, Woodhull and Sherrard.


In 1927 R. Earl Knox, who owned the Alpha funeral home, joined to form Peterson-Wallin-Knox Company.  The furniture stores at Cambridge and Sherrard were closed, followed by the business at Orion.


In 1927 Vernon Wallin and Helen Henderson were married and she worked continuously with Vernon until his death in 1962.  Helen passed away in 1984.

Gene Wallin and Alice Cole were married in Alpha in 1951.  Gene spent four years in the Air Force during the Korean War.  He graduated from Augustana College with a business degree and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago.


In 1958 Gene and Alice moved to Alpha where they entered into business with his father, Vernon.  Alice was also licensed as a Funeral Director.  The business provided phone service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and  invalid Coach services and Ambulance service until Tri-County Ambulance District was formed.  Peterson Wallin Knox housed the ambulance and provided phone service until 1980.  In 1959 after the purchase of the John McCurdy residence in Alpha, an open house was held at the newly renovated and expanded property and PWK moved from main street to its present location on U.S. 150.


In 1962 an addition was made to the Wallin family home on North Division Street, providing an area for the funeral home.  The furniture store, also located on North Division street closed in 1994.  Vernon Eugene Wallin Jr. passed away September 23, 2008.  Alice M. Wallin passed away August 28, 2018.

Scott Fippinger served his apprenticeship in his father's business in Aledo, IL and also with Gene and Alice at Peterson Wallin Knox Funeral Home. On October 1, 2002, after 20 years of employment, Scott Fippinger purchased the Peterson Walllin Knox Funeral Homes in Alpha and Woodhull and operates them to this day. (From Left to right, Ben, Scott, Ann, Nathan and Elise.)

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