McCLURE, Ill. -- Marion W. Petitt, 68, of McClure died Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 24, 1939, in Thebes, Ill., son of Herman and Essie Meyer Petitt. He married Marie Kelley Oct. 5, 1971, in Cairo, Ill.

He served in the U.S. Army 12 years during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

He farmed and did timber work in the McClure area. He had worked for McClure Saw Mill and was employed by Trojan Powder Plant in Wolf Lake, Ill.

He was a lifetime member of Carroll P. Foster VFW Post 3455 in Anna, Ill., and former post commander of John Phillip Memorial VFW Post 2228 in McClure.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Petitt of McClure; three sons, Steve Kelley and Mark Kelley, both of Cape Girardeau, and Douglas Kelley of St. Louis; two daughters, Nicole Petitt of McClure and Deborah Kennedy of Chaffee, Mo.; a brother, Billy Petitt of Thebes; two sisters, Minnie MacCartee of Silver Hills, Ala., and Mildred Held of Olive Branch, Ill.; nine grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and four sisters.

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

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Clark Short officiating.

Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes with full military honors by Carroll P. Foster VFW Post 3455.