John C. Pettersch's Obituary
John Craig Pettersch, age 85, of Overland Park, KS, passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2023, after a battle with heart failure and Alzheimer’s. John (Juana) was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, on October 30, 1937, to Russell and Helen Pettersch. After graduating from East Grand Rapids High School, he enlisted in the US Air Force and served four years of active duty and four years as a reserve. In 1964, he met Mary Sturtevant; they married and had four daughters.
John worked in billing in the trucking industry for over 30 years. He started at Darling Freight and Interstate Motor Freight in Grand Rapids, MI, before moving to Overland Park, KS, to work for Yellow Freight Systems. He was proud to have served in the US Navy Reserves Seabees for 22 years, retiring as a Chief Storekeeper.
While in Michigan, he loved to spend his summers camping with the family at Lincoln Lake, where he would build large campfires. He loved to travel, and he and Mary traveled to all 50 states and Europe.
John was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Alan, his sister Barbara, and his daughter, Angela. He is survived by his wife, Mary, of 58 years; his daughters, Tina, Theresa, and Jackie; and grandchildren, Elizabeth, James Michael, Colleen, Brandon, and Sean. He also leaves behind his sister, Patricia Pratt (John), and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside service will be held at Ravenna Township Cemetery on Friday, May 12 at 11:00 AM, followed by a lunch at 11:30 AM at the Ravenna United Methodist Church.
Donations can be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association or the University of Kansas Health System Center for Advanced Heart Care.
Share memories with the family at their online Guest Book at www.sytsemafh.com Arrangements by The Ravenna Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 3570 Thomas St., Ravenna, MI 49451 (231) 853-6511
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