Upon returning from service in the military during World War II, Stan Petersen began delivering fuel for Standard Oil Company in Lansing, MI. In 1947 Stan and his Wife Jeanette moved back to his hometown of Greenville where he became an agent for Standard Oil Co. delivering farm and heating fuels to the residents of Montcalm county. From that point on the business has truly been a family business with their son Tom, Son in Law Kevand, and grandson Mike having daily involvement.

From its beginning the business was run from Stan & Jeanette’s home in Greenville, where Stan would make deliveries from the Standard Oil owned bulk plant and Jeanette took care of the paperwork. In 1976 Stan bought the accounts, equipment, and inventory from Standard Oil and became one of their jobber-distributors. In 1978 Tom and Kevand bought the business from their parents and consolidated the office and bulk plant facilities to its current location on M-91 north of Greenville. Tom & Kevand spent their days delivering fuel and evenings constructing the new facility, which also included their first gasoline station and convenience store, offering sales of leaded gasoline, diesel, kerosene, packaged lubricants, and an entire line of snacks and refreshments. One year later Petersen Oil Company became Petersen Oil Co, Inc. after the business was formally incorporated on July 6, 1979.

During the 1980’s Petersen Oil added its first semi tanker to its fleet, it also expanded in the gasoline and convenience store business with the addition of 2 company owned locations and several dealer owned locations. Standard Oil Company became AMOCO, all gasoline became lead-free, and Petersen Oil installed their first computer system for accounting. Drivers were hired for Tom and Kevand so they could focus on their managerial duties. Trucks and office personnel were added to take care of the growing customer base, which included new customers from the purchase of nearby AMOCO jobbers. New services included a Bulk Lubricant delivery truck and commercial fueling accounts at its 3 gasoline stations. As a teenager Mike was becoming active in the business working as a cashier in the gas station and helping out with lubricant deliveries and maintenance duties.

The 1990’s saw the addition of 5 gas stations and convenience stores, the purchase of one more AMOCO jobber, and another name change. After adding propane delivery to the list of product services the name was changed to Petersen Oil & Propane. This addition created a period of rapid growth; Trucks, Drivers, and Bulk facilities were added to support the increasing customer base. For the first time Petersen Oil & Propane customers were offered the ability to secure contract fuel pricing, the Exxon/Mobil line of lubricants was added after Amoco’s sale of it lubricant division, and the commercial fueling accounts were automated with the addition of 5 Pacific Pride Unattended Commercial Fueling locations. After Purchasing Kevand’s interest in the business much of Tom’s time was spent teaching his son Mike how to efficiently and effectively manage a growing company.

At the end of the decade one of the founders was lost when Stan passed away in 1999, though no longer active in the company Stan was always present with daily visits to the office. Jeanette passed away 2 ½ years later in the spring of 2002. Their dedication to family and work will always be present in the values and principles of Petersen Oil & Propane.

In 2001 the decision was made to focus the company direction toward sales and distribution of propane, fuels and lubricants. Petersen Oil & Propane exited the Gasoline and Convenience store business by selling its 7 locations and closing the Gasoline station at its Greenville office and bulk plant facility. Growth is continuing in the propane division, while currently the fuel delivery territory is being expanded with the addition of larger delivery vehicles. Petersen Oil and Propane is currently looking to the future by analyzing additional energy products and supply services to gain new customers and continue its business into the next generation.