Maurice “Maury” A. Pettengill, age 90, of Milwaukee, WI, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Horizon’s Lawlis Family Hospice in Mequon, WI. He was born May 5, 1933, in Jamesport to Chancy Aleck and Etta Viola (nee Brewer) Pettengill. He had two younger sisters, Shirley Devos and Carol Meeker. He graduated in 1951 from Trenton High School and graduated in 1960 from what is now known as Truman University in Kirksville. Maurice stayed very active in his high school alumni group until recent years.
Maurice married Betty Joan Strasburg (nee Meeker) in May 1952 and they had two daughters, Mary and Martha. Starting in 1953 he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, assigned to a combat engineer company in Munich, Germany to rebuild after the devastation of WWII. In 1967 he relocated his family to Hartford, WI.
Maurice re-married in August 1970 to Patricia Anne Pettengill (nee Wendt). They moved to Milwaukee, WI with her four children, Lynn, Gail, Greg and Jane. The couple enjoyed travelling (including many trips to Jamaica and a 21-day trip to the Far East), socializing with friends and relatives, and spending many winters at their lovely second home in Venice, FL. Last year they celebrated their 53rd Anniversary. Being a guest on The Stars and Stripes Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., in 2017 was one of the highlights of his life.
Maurice loved his work and stayed active in his career until age 85. Having started out as a young man with the J.C. Penney Company, the last 44 years he owned his own company working as a Certified Personnel Consultant/Recruiter for the corrugated packaging industry.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters; his beloved daughter, Mary Pat Pettengill; his cherished cousin, Jerry Marvin Pettengill; his dear friend, Ray Bonkoski; and many others.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia Anne Pettengill; his daughter, Martha Pettengill (Sandra Large); Pat’s children, Lynn (Steve) Schauwitzer, Gail (Jeffery) Bruce, Greg (Suzi) Scholtes and Jane Galien (Ken Collins); seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; as well as other cherished relatives and friends.
The family is very grateful to Ellen’s Home Port Washington, and also to Horizon’s Lawlis Family Hospice in Mequon, WI, for their compassionate and outstanding care.
In honoring Maurice’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. You are invited to celebrate his memory in your own way. Donations in his memory to the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight of Wisconsin will be appreciated.