Dan Pettyjohn

Dan was born on April 24, 1945, in Springfield, Illinois, the son of Tony & Eileen Pettyjohn. He was a graduate of Griffin High School and a graduate of Parks College of Engineering, Aviation & Technology in St. Louis.

Shortly after graduation, Dan entered service in the United States Air Force. He proudly served in Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller flying the OV-10 Bronco. He transitioned to flying the A-10 fighter jet, and continued on as an aircraft maintainer. His USAF career spanned 22 years and took him, his two sons, and their mother, Daryl Golden, all over the world — from Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Alabama, and Louisiana, to Sembach Air Base Germany and a year-long tour of duty at the American Embassy in Tunisia. Dan inherited his passion for flying from his dad, Tony, a WWII fighter pilot, and his legacy and love of aviation was passed down to his son, Erik, who also became a fighter pilot.

Following his service in the military, Dan spent five years working for DynCorp in Florida, maintaining airplanes performing drug interdiction missions in central and South America. He then began work at Boeing in Arizona, managing the T-38 aircraft avionics upgrade program, and eventually transferred to Seattle to oversee the modifications and maintenance of the fleet of USAF VIP airplanes.

After retirement, Dan filled his days camping, sipping coffee and reading the newspaper at Starbucks, enjoying dinners and shows with his much-loved companion and friend of 15 years, Suzanne Galante, and visiting his kids and grandkids.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Tony & Eileen Pettyjohn; and sister, Patricia Teimeyer.

He is survived by his two sons, Erik (wife Anna) Pettyjohn & Jason (wife Tanya) Pettyjohn, both of Tennessee; four grandchildren, Emma (husband Jacob) Reinmiller of Tennessee, David Pettyjohn of Chicago, Peyton & Parker Pettyjohn of Tennessee; two great-grandchildren, James & Anna Reinmiller; three sisters, Sue Brock, Rita (husband John) Mehlick, and Martha (husband Steve) Lister, all of Springfield; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield, Illinois.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1345 N. Sixth St., Springfield, Illinois, with Manuel P. Cuizon, celebrant. Burial will follow at 12:00 p.m. at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors provided.

Please visit www.butlerspringfield.com to offer your condolences.