Obituary of Joseph Dewayne Pettit

Joseph Dewayne Pettit, 69 of rural Iowa City died Wednesday, December 19, 2012. Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, December 27, 2012 at the American Legion Post #17 @ 3016 Muscatine Avenue, Iowa City; Military Honors will be provided at this time. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Joseph's memory to Iowa City Hospice, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church or Operation Once in a Lifetime @ P.O. Box 797052, Dallas, TX 75379 or on the web @ onceinalifetime.com. Online condolences may be sent to his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Joseph Dewayne Pettit was born January 21, 1943, in Iowa City the son of Edward R. and Josephine E. (Behles) Pettit. He married Helen Mark, later they divorced and he married Judith Scaffinger. During the Vietnam War Joe served in the United States Army. He spent a career as a truck driver, many of those years alongside of Judy in the cab. They enjoyed much in life, traveling, wintering in the warm climates, his many friends and of course his family. He and Judy not only cared for their children and grandchildren, but opened their home and hearts to over 70 foster children over the years. Joe was a man whose heart was bigger than life, he always was doing for others, giving of himself unselfishly, doing what he could to make things better for others. He was a strong advocate of Veterans that had to deal with the Agent Orange issue from the Vietnam War; he worked and contributed much on their behalf. Joe was a member of the American Legion and the VFW. His family includes his wife, Judy; children, Jill Hines of Grinnell; Brenda Nelson (Carl) of Iowa City and Craig Pettit (Carol) of Kalona; numerous grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and many foster children from over the years. Also surviving are Joe's siblings, Ed Pettit of Iowa City; Don Pettit (Evelyn) of Waterloo; Cliff Pettit of Iowa City; Tom Pettit of Iowa City; Ken Pettit of North Liberty and Jennifer Pettit of Iowa City. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Emmett Pettit; a niece and nephew. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Joe's family and his arrangements.