George W. Pettigrew, Jr.

George Willard Pettigrew, Jr. died Monday, August 5, 2024 at Genesis East Hospital, Davenport after a lengthy illness.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 4097 18th Street, Bettendorf, on Friday August 9, 2024 at 10:30am. Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass at the church. A luncheon will follow the mass. Burial will be in the National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. 

George was born in Utica, NY, son of George W. and Pauline (Nester) Pettigrew. He married Mary E. Oettel July 2, 1966 at St. Joseph the Worker Church, Fallsington, PA. They met at St. Bonaventure University, where he graduated in 1965.

He was in the ROTC and served in the military from 1965-1977. In his military career he served as an advisor in Saudi Arabia in 1967-68, and in Vietnam from 1970-71, working in Air Defense Artillery and guided missile systems. When he left the Army, he had obtained the rank of Captain. George worked as Service Manager at Modern Business Systems, and later worked in IT for Community Care, DeWitt. For many years he was the chairman of a charity auction to Stamp Out Cancer, raising money for the American Cancer Society. 

George is survived by wife, Mary, and children Timothy Pettigrew, Elizabeth (Tim) Meeks, Nancy (Jon) Vitug and 9 grandchildren – Logan, Gavin, Brayden, Melayna and Taliya Pettigrew, Mackenzie and William Meeks, Kai and Lea Vitug. He is also survived by his sister Jean Pettigrew, brothers Richard (Terry) Pettigrew, and Robert (Karen) Pettigrew, sister-in-law Joann Cosgrove as well as several nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John.