Dean Pettit

DEAN PETTIT

Fairfield

Dean Pettit of Fairfield, Iowa, passed away on Oct. 25, 2019.

Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 28, at the Behner Funeral Home, funeral service is

11 a.m. Oct. 29, at the First United Methodist Church in Fairfield with the Rev. Beth Harbaugh and Pastor Bill Shewmaker officiating. Burial in Fellows Cemetery

in Keosauqua.

Dean was born on Dec. 11, 1929, in Mount Sterling, Iowa, to Craig and Dorothy Pettit. He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 64 years, Bernita; his sister, Helen Rogers of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; his children, Marcia (John) Seddon of Cincinnati, Iowa, Glen (Patti Laughlin) Pettit of McPherson, Kan., and Gordon (Becca Roehrich) Pettit of Macomb, Ill.; eight grandchildren, Sami (George) Budiselich, Chloie (David) Lewis, Katie Seddon, Eric Pettit, Justin Pettit, Drew Pettit, Zach Pettit and Aly Pettit; and two great-grandchildren, Calvin Smith and Calliope Lewis.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers-in-law, Rudy Rogers and Wayne, Weldon and Eddie Jones.

Dean worked as a soil conservationist for the SCS for 40 years, surveyed for Pathfinders RC&D and French-Reneker-Associates, after retiring from the SCS. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and then Air Force Reserves. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of Fairfield and the Lions Club, being voted Lion of the Year in 1974 to 1975. He took up running in 1980, and within a year completed a 50-mile ultra-marathon. He enjoyed spending time outside gardening, tending trees and taking walks. When he had to be stuck inside, he enjoyed completing jigsaw puzzles, sudoku and playing spider solitaire.

He loved and treasured his family most of all, often taking his children and grandchildren to experience new things. He kept his family up to date on activities by writing witty weekly letters.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fairfield Lions Club, First United Methodist Church or the EveryStep Hospice.

Online condolences may be made to the family at behnerfh.com.