Obituaries : Vincent “Mike” Pettinger

Vincent "Mike" Pettinger, 91, passed away December 29, 2022 at his home in West Branch. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Bernadette's Catholic Church in West Branch on January 21 at 11:00 AM with a lunch following in the church basement.

Mike was born September 25, 1931, in Cumberland, Iowa, the son of Gene and Helen Pettinger. He attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse, Union 7, and graduated from Cumberland High School in 1949. He and LaVita Edwards were married on September 22, 1951, at St. Timothy's Catholic Church in Reno, Iowa. LaVita preceded him in death on February 6, 2002. On February 15, 2003, Mike married Sandy Noren who preceded him in death on May 11, 2018.

Mike was active in community betterment wherever he lived. He served on the City Council in Gilman, Iowa and West Branch, Iowa, where he served three years as Mayor. Mike was active in the Lion's Club, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, West Branch Fire Dept, and was a Boy Scout Leader. He was awarded the Community Service Award in 1976. He also served on the Cedar County boards of Compensation, Conservation, and the Jail Study Commission.

Mike had a love of woodworking and made many lovely pieces of furniture for friends and family. During his time in Vinton, he made new kitchen cabinets for St. Mary's Catholic Church and was involved with the Knights of Columbus and Izaak Walton League.

Survivors include daughters Linda Carrillo (Jose') West Branch, Erin Monaghan of Vinton, grandchildren Heather Heeren (Brian), Joel Carrillo, Quinn Monaghan, and Shane Monaghan, great-grandchildren Sam Heeren, Miranda Heeren, Jacob Carrillo and Jadyn Carrillo. Mike was preceded in death by son Randy Pettinger on August 6, 1983.

Memorials may be directed to the West Branch Boy Scouts.