Francis “Frank” Petty, age 75, of Mesa, AZ, passed away peacefully, Sunday, July 9, surrounded by his family. He was born April 8, 1931, in Chicago, IL, to the late Mae and Albert Klebosky. Frank joined the US Navy at 17 and had a long and distinguished career, retiring after 22 years as a Master Chief Petty officer. Frank was married on Nov. 27, 1954, to Irene (Ryle) Petty, who preceded him in death. They were married 48 years and had seven children, who Frank said were his seven greatest blessings. He is survived by his children, Therese (Mike) Smith of Arizona, Denise (Brad) Valentine of Wisconsin, Valerie Petty, Michael (Marie) Petty, Christopher (Katheryne) Petty, Suzanne (Dennis) Garland all of Arizona, and Janine (James) Ramsey of Wisconsin. Frank married Katie Petty, Dec. 21, 2002, and enjoyed almost four years of marriage. He is further survived by 20 grand children; four great-grandchildren; three brothers, William Petty of California, Jack (Jan) Petty of California and Thomas (Suzanne) Klebosky of Georgia; two stepchildren, Jon Michael (Lori) Spiker of Washington and Jim (Jill) Spiker of Arizona; eight stepgrandchildren and many nieces & nephews. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, he was our champion, “Frank, brother, dad, grandpa, papa, papaflank”. Memorial service will be held Friday, July 14, 2006, at 9 a.m., at Heritage Funeral Chapel, 6830 W. Thunderbird Rd., Peoria, AZ, 623-974-3671, followed by a military committal at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Smile Train, Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ85014, or the American Heart Association, 2929 S. 48th St., Tempe, AZ 85282.
