Fred Petitt

Fred H. Petitt, 73, of Olive Branch, Ill., died Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born March 15, 1931, in Morehouse, Mo., son of Herman and Essie Myers Petitt. He and Lucille Fuentes were married May 23, 1981, in Los Angeles. She died March 8, 2002.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Marines, serving in the Korean War. He worked at Douglas Aircraft for 8 1/2 years, Lockheed Aircraft 2 1/2 years and was aircraft inspector for Northrop Aircraft for 29 years. He retired in 1991 and moved from La Puente, Calif., to Olive Branch.

Survivors include three daughters, Cindy Valdez of Hacienda Heights, Calif., Lorraine Guzman of Pasadena, Calif., Rose Mary Sandoval of El Monte, Calif.; five sons, Steven Petitt of Cardiff by the Sea, Calif., Larry Petitt of Lucas, Kan., Randy Petitt of Fontana, Calif., Glen Petitt of Inland Empire, Calif., John Sandoval of Temple City, Calif.

Also surviving are two sisters, Mildred Held of Olive Branch, Minnie McCartee of Robertsdale, Ala.; two brothers, Marion Petitt of McClure, Ill., and Billy Petitt of Thebes, Ill.; 18 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ford & Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Tom Kiefer officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes with military rites by Carroll P. Foster VFW Post 3455.