RALPH PETITT SR.

PEKIN, Ill. -- Ralph E. Petitt Sr., 72, of Pekin died Sunday, Jan. 2, 2000, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

He was born Aug. 20, 1927, in Morehouse, Mo., the son of Herman Charles and Essie Letha Myers Petitt.

He was a veteran. He was an electrician and a retired member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local No. 51 in Springfield, where he worked for 27 years.

He is survived by eight daughters, Carol J. Duez, Kathy Hartley, Vicky Neaveill, Donna Davis, all of Pekin, Becky Boldger and Sandy Bessio, both of Florida, Patty Whedbee of California and Barbara J. Buck of Arkansas; seven sons, Ronald D. Petitt and Terry L. Mylott, both of Pekin, Ralph E. Petitt Jr. of Iowa, Richard Adams of Murphysboro, Dennis Petitt of Florida, Robert E. Warren of Illinois and James E. Warren of Virginia; three bothers, Fred H Petitt of Olive Branch, Billy D. Petitt of Thebes and Marion W. Petitt of McClure; three sisters, Minnie M. McCartee of Fairhope, Ala., Ethel L. Story of Villa Ridge and Mildred J. Held of Olive Branch.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, a brother and two sisters.

Private graveside services will be held Wednesday at Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes with the Rev. Billy Heady of the Trinity Assembly of God in Olive Branch officiating. There will be no visitation.

Arrangements are under the direction of Preston-Hanley Funeral Home in Pekin.