Robert 'Bunk' Pettit

Robert Sylvester "Bunk" Pettit, 84, of Cape Girardeau passed away Friday, Dec. 25, 2015, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Nov. 15, 1931, in Cape Girardeau to Curtis L. and Verlean Miller Pettit.

Bunk was a 1950 graduate of the former John S. Cobb High School in Cape Girardeau. He entered the U.S. Army on June 2, 1950, in St. Louis. He was awarded a purple heart, a combat infantryman badge, the United Nations service medal, a Korean service medal with four bronze service stars, and a distinguished unit citation. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant June 7, 1953, in Fort Benning, Georgia.

He continued to serve his country, entering the U.S. Air Force on Oct. 29, 1954, in Boston. An airman 2nd class, he was honorably discharged Aug. 28, 1958, at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas.

He retired as an inspector from the city of Chicago.

Loving survivors include three sons, Steven (Agnes) Mason of Sikeston, Missouri, Curtis (Julia) Burton of Atlanta and Robert (Marsha) Pettit III of Chicago; a daughter, Robin Pettit of Chicago; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Carolyn Pettit Wade; and a great-grandchild.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until time of service Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Byron Bonner officiating. Full military honors will follow the service. A committal service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Missouri Veterans Home Foundation.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.