Lester "Joe" Pettyjohn

Lester “Joe” Pettyjohn, age 64, of Hamilton, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at his home. Joe was born on April 13, 1959, in Knoxville, IA, to Elizabeth Mae Mavin and Charles Arthur Pettyjohn. He was the 7th of 8 children. Joe grew up in Marysville, IA, attending Twin Cedars High School in Bussey, IA, class of 1977. After high school, Joe joined the Marine Corps. (Camp Pendleton, San Diego, CA) and was medically discharged with honors. He married Brenda Nelson in 1982 and they later divorced. He married Debra Clemens on September 5, 1992. Joe and Debra shared 31 years of marriage prior to his passing. Joe was an industrial journeyman plumber fixing things from simple kitchen sinks to doing all the plumbing in the local jail. He worked for La Fulton Sons, Inc. in Urbandale for 15 years and also worked for Coady Plumbing in Albia. He retired to his full-time position and boss of only one employee, himself, and established Pettyjohn Plumbing. He always fancied himself Joe, the Plumber. Joe loved his guitar and was an amazing player and singer. He enjoyed a simple life of hunting, fishing, and family. His favorite things to hunt were deer, coyotes, and squirrels. In the spring, he went to his “sweet spots” for morel mushrooms. He was known for picking the tiniest and most gigantic mushrooms around. Although he loved to fry them up and eat them, he gave most of them away. Joe was likely to be found on Sunday in his recliner watching football, cheering on his favorite team the Minnesota Vikings, or standing on the sidelines of a Twin Cedars Sabers game. In his younger years, he was a bull rider. In his older years, he was a garage tinkerer. He never strayed too far from home. He was also an expert gardener tending to the plants to grow them to perfection for Deb’s upcoming salsa canning. Joe is survived by his wife, Debra Pettyjohn of Hamilton; his children, Jason Pettyjohn of Hamilton, Justin Pettyjohn of Des Moines, Tasha (Ben) Whye of Ames, Kristy Clemens of Grimes, Katie (Kyle) Popson of Albia, Elizabeth (Jay) Galeazzi of Knoxville, and Joshua Pettyjohn of Hamilton. Papa Joe is also survived by 18 grandchildren, Alayna, Gavin, Elissa, Beckah, Mikeal, Brayden, Hazel, Huxton, Gabriella “Gabby”, Kole, Logun, Bella, Nova, Tucker, Dexter, Harlan, Kelby, Carter, and another one on the way; his sister, Judy Sytsma; and brother, Albert “Buck” (Cindy) Pettyjohn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles “Arthur” and Elizabeth; his father and mother-in-law, Charles “Chuck” and Patsy Downs; brothers, Orval D. Pettyjohn, Leland “Cocky” Pettyjohn, Larry Pettyjohn, Irvin Pettyjohn, and Mitchell “Mitch” Pettyjohn; a brother-in-law, David “Moe” Sytsma; and sisters-in-law, Arlene Pettyjohn, Diane Pettyjohn and Karen Pettyjohn. He is also preceded in death by his favorite coyote dog, Chance the White Rocket. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Joe’s family present from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. to greet family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 2, 2023, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Vince Goemaat officiating. Burial will follow services at the Marysville Cemetery in Marysville, IA. In lieu of flowers, donations and contributions can be made to Debra Pettyjohn.

Lester "Joe" Pettyjohn

April 13, 1959 - October 29, 2023