James Stephen Pettit

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James Stephen Pettit on September 24, 2026, at the age of 91. He was, quite simply, “THE KINDEST MAN ON EARTH.”

Jim was born on April 14, 1935, to Ruth and Earnest Pettit and was raised in Oshkosh, WI, where he lived his entire life. On October 27, 1956, he married Charlotte. Char was the one sister brave enough to approach Jim while he was at the house selling a car to Char’s brother, Jim. There is also a story Jim told his family about drag racing another man who was sweet on Char. The winner of the race won the right to date Char. Guess who won? I promised not to put that in here, so don’t tell her.

Jim started his working career at his brother-in-law Stub’s Garage, followed by a short stint at Leach Company, but the majority of his working life—more than 30 years—was spent at Oshkosh Truck Corporation as a laborer. As a second job, he worked as a body man for Parkway Garage and Harrison Motors.

Jim enjoyed camping with friends and family. He also spent many years polka dancing with Char and the many friends they met at Westward Ho. His main hobby was working on cars, including the 1936 Chevy pickup that is still in the works. He purchased nearly all of his daily-driver cars as wrecks and then brought them back to life.

His children fondly remember the many Sunday car trips they took together, better known as “The Jim Pettit Route” If you ever told Jim about an upcoming trip, you could count on him suggesting at least one “must-see” spot you needed to stop at. There was apparently no such thing as taking the direct route.

Jim loved to tell stories and enjoyed going out to eat, where he almost always ran into someone he knew. And if he didn’t know them when he walked in, there was a pretty good chance he would by the time he left.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Charlotte; their daughter, Julie (Roy) Koch of Ripon, WI; son, Chris (Becky) Pettit of Omro; son-in-law, Bob Hart; granddaughter, Danielle (Robert); and great-granddaughter, Faith Marie Will of Oshkosh. He is further survived by his brothers, Walter, Thomas and Dale (Peggy); sister, Carol Harnitz; and sister-in-law, Ruth Pettit.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved children, Connie Sue, Dawn and Larry; his cherished granddaughter, Melissa Hart; his sisters, Dorothy (Larry) Pfaffenroth and Lois (Otto “Stub”) Manthe; and his brothers, Ernie (Patricia) Pettit & John Pettit; and in laws Gene Harnitz, Shirley Pettit & Kathy Pettit. Also preceding him were many nieces and nephews who left us too soon to mention.

The visitation for Jim will be held Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home Westside, 100 Lake Point Drive, Oshkosh, WI, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with a prayer blessing at 12:00 p.m. Burial on Monday, October 5, at Noon, at Lake View Memorial Park, Oshkosh.

Jim’s family would like to express their gratitude for the kindness shown to Jim by the aides, nurses and doctors at Aurora Medical Center, Parkview Health Center, Bella Vista and Moments Hospice. He gives you all one last “fist bump.”