Francis E. Pettit

Lansing

Age 98, passed away September 24, 2015. Born August 27, 1917 in Alma, MI. In spite of losing the sight of one eye in his teens, Francis was drafted into the U.S. Army in WWII, and served as a Staff Sgt in the bomb disposal unit. His service took him to New Guinea, Okinawa and the Philippines. Francis retired as a mechanic from the Michigan State Highway Department (1980), He had also worked as a mechanic at Boichot Concrete, Lansing Dairy, and Continental Imports, a sports car dealer in Downtown Lansing in the 1950's. After retirement, Francis and wife Evalyn traveled extensively throughout the US, Mexico, and Canada, in their Holiday Rambler RV.

Francis was preceded in death by his first wife, Bel Rhea (Scott) (1948), and Evalyn M. Pettit in 2001; parents, Howard and Dora Pettit; half-brother Bill Pettit, half- sister Pearl Edwards, and half sister, Doris Jean Kellerman.

Surviving are his daughter, Dawn Stiles; 4 grandchildren Kathy Stiles (Griff Derryberry) (California), Dan Stiles (Lansing), Mark (Stacey) Stiles (Holt, MI), and Kari Stiles (Philadelphia); 5 great-grandchildren Rylie, Sydney, and McKenna Stiles, and Kenneth and Brian Derryberry; half-brother, Clarence (Virginia) Pettit; 2 nieces and 1 nephew; and nephew Todd Kellerman.

The celebration of Francis' life will begin Saturday, October 24th, at 1:00 pm at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens with Military Honors, interment immediately following. Join the families for lunch and storytelling at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, use West Entrance, 925 S. Creyts Rd., Lansing.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to McLaren Hospice, 1515 Cal Dr. Davison, MI 48423, in memory of Francis Pettit. Friends may visit the guest book at www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Tiffany Funeral Home.