Mr. Gerald Pettera, 87, of Greensboro, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at his home. A memorial service will be held Friday, September 12, 2025 at 2pm at Westover Church followed by a reception in the church lobby.
Gerry was born on dairy farm in Platteville, Wisconsin on September 26, 1937, the son of Leo and Veronica Hach Pettera. Gerry was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Platteville. He spent most of his career in the clock repair business, his son Brett Seyboth joining him in the later years to become Gerry & Son Clock Repair, starting in Florida in 1976. Gerry was an avid Boy Scout and a lifelong Boy Scout leader, an Eagle Scout, inducted into the Order of the Arrow, and in his 60's awarded the Silver Beaver, which is a lifetime achievement award in the Boy Scouts and very, very rare. Gerry loved listening to The Beach Boys and Spike Jones while traveling with his family and kept everyone entertained with his dialogue and his sappy dad jokes. Looking down from above, we are confident that Dad has overcome his fear of heights at last. Most of all, Gerry was dedicated to being a good husband and father, to his wife and children.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 47 years, Elna Marie Pettera, sons, Brian Pettera (Erlyn Jean) of Chicago, Illinois, Barry Seyboth, Brett Seyboth (Wendy) and Matthew Pettera, all of Greensboro; daughter, Sara Pettera (Megan) of Virginia; grandchildren, Nick, Gabe, and Nate Seyboth, and John, Mavy, Cassie, and Aeris Pettera; and great grandchildren, Aria and Danny Brown.
The family asked with gratitude that memorials in Gerry's name be made to Westover Church, 505 Muirs Chapel Rd., Greensboro, NC 27410 or to Samaritan Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.
