Obituaries

Thomas C. Pettit

09/28/1952 - 01/27/2022

Obituary For Thomas C. Pettit

Thomas C. Petitt September 28, 1952- January 27,2022

Thomas C. Petitt, 69, of Altoona, died Thursday at UPMC Altoona. He was born in Latrobe son of the late William and Gladys (Lentz) Petitt. He married Julie I. Fleck June 21, 1996. He is survived by his wife, Julie, a daughter Crystal Bischoff (Robert) of Altoona, a stepson, Larry Grassmyer, Jr. of Altoona, 2 brothers: Lincoln Shaffer of Roaring Spring and William (Jeannie) Petitt in Texas; 2 sisters: Vonnie (Fred) Johnston in Virginia and Myra Brink in West Virginia; nephews: Ken and Jim Shaffer, who were more like brothers to Tom as he was raised in their family home; many other nieces and nephews and Tom’s adopted nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother Dennis Shaffer, a stepson Paul Grassmyer, brother in law Russell Brink and sister in law Louise Shaffer. Tom was a graduate of Hollidaysburg Area High School, he was a United States Marine Corps veteran, he retired from Skills of Central PA as a Direct Support Professional for the past 10 years and had previously been a steel fabricator for many years. Tom attended Broad Ave. United Methodist Church, Martinsburg Church of God and the Juniata Valley Gospel Church. He was an avid guitar player and performed with Blair County Hymn Sing, and enjoyed woodworking. Friends will be received from 10-11:45 am Tuesday February 1,2022 at The Stevens Mortuary 1421 8th Ave. Altoona, PA 16602 followed by a Funeral Service at noon in the Memorial Chapel of The Stevens Mortuary, officiated by Pastor Rachel Neely-Pletcher. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Skills of Central PA in Tom’s memory. Condolences can be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.

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Condolences

02/01/2022

Nichole Dean

Condolences to you Julie, family, friends and everyone Tom's light touched. He will be missed by many. Much love and many prayers for healing.
01/31/2022

Bill Petite

Tom was my brother, my little brother. We were so close to each other even when we were separated by miles and miles. He was such a gentle and kind man and generous. He was patient and loving and was always willing to help when and where he could. Tom and I are both former Marines and he loved the Marines. He just didn't like being a Military Policeman. We could talk for hours about Parris Island and our other Marine experiences, and it never got old. But most importantly, he was a man who knew Jesus as his Lord and savior. And because of that, I am at peace knowing he is right now with Jesus. Knowing this makes it so much easier to accept his physical death and departure from this world. If you knew Tom, you know that what I'm saying here is true and you had the opportunity to be blessed by knowing him. This happened so fast, and I wasn't prepared for this, as many of us are not when this happens. Do I wish he was still here so I could call him and talk to him one more time? Of course, but God has called him home and who am I to argue with or dispute God. I would love to share a memory of the many times Tom and I did this or that but there are just too many. In memory, Tom will always be with me and until it is my time to depart this world, he always will be. I would like to share one more thing about Tom which will show what kind of man he was. While I was working in California on a military government contract, I had secured a job for Tom. He was a welder, and he could have started as soon as he got there. But there was something in his life that was much more important to him. It was his daughter, Crystal. Tom needed to stay in Altoona in order to eventually get full custody of her. How easy would it have been to just pull up roots and go to California and make more money than he ever had? But he couldn't and wouldn't do that. That says everything about who Tom was.
01/30/2022

Cindy Yearick

My thoughts are with you and in the days ahead, and asking God to surround you with his perfect Peace & Love! Uncle Toms hugs were the best, he will be greatly missed. Love Cindy Mae & Family!