Saturday, September 16th, 1961 – Friday, August 22nd, 2025
Andre Jerome Petty, 63, of Kenosha, WI. Departed this life on August 22nd, 2025. He was born on September 16th, 1961, to John H. and Bessie L. Petty Jr., who both have preceded him in death.
Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Andre was the second child to this union and the first male child. He was also the first male grandchild and nephew of the Petty family. Andre was educated and attended school in the Chicago Public school system, where he graduated from O.H. Perry Elementary and George Henry Corliss High School, where he played on the football team as a defensive lineman and was a member of the high school band at the time when it was one of the top high school bands in the city of Chicago.
After graduating from high school, Andre went on to work at the former Mercy Hospital as a patient technician and then went on to work at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago as a mail processor. After leaving the Federal Reserve Bank, Andre went on to hold various other positions in roofing and restaurant management before moving to Kenosha, WI, where he resided until his sudden death. Proceeding Andre in death are his son, Matthew Sparks; nephew Michael Williams, sister-in-law Nydia Adames-Petty, uncles and aunts Nick and Erma Madden Jr., Ervin and Rose Petty, Ray and Betty Madden, uncles Ronald Bogan Sr., and James Steele, aunt Sandra Petty, cousins Barbara Shotwell, Thomas Madden, and Ronald Bogan Jr., and Ralph Johnson.
A believer in Christ, throughout his youth, Andre would attend St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church and Old Landmark Church of God Holiness, both in Chicago, IL. Andre was known for his kindness, fun sense of humor, and unwavering love for his family, and he never met a stranger. If there was a need, there Andre was to lend a helping hand. A die-hard Chicago Bears fan who believed that his team was always on their way to a Super Bowl win every year, and you could always hear him say, “Yeah, this is going to be our year, the Bears are about to do some stuff.”
Andre was a beloved soul and will be deeply missed by his surviving family members and friends. He leaves to cherish his memory, his life partner of 40 years, Kathleen Howard, bonus daughter Charlotte Howard, Godson Quinton Howard of Lansing, MI, bonus granddaughter Tamiya Jackson (Andrew) of Ann Arbor, MI, and bonus great-grandson Andrew Jr. (AJ). Sister Yolanda Petty of Chicago, IL, brother Bryan Petty of Warner Robins, GA, and sister LaToya Steele (Kenneth) of Decatur, IL. Nieces and nephews Kristina Childress (Stephen) of Lufkin, TX, Johnathan Petty (Veronica), and Mary Berry (Dextan) all of Houston, TX., Ashley Petty of Baltimore, MD, Christine Trelor (Fred) of Guam, Kenya Steele of Decatur, IL. Whitley and Christopher Steele of Hammond and Hobart, IN., and Curtis Green Jr. of Chicago, IL, and a host of great nieces and nephews.
Great aunt Arletha Green of Chicago, IL, aunt Katie Wells of Rockford, IL, aunts Amy Petty of Chicago, IL, Annie Ruth Shipp of Houston, TX, Essie Bogan, Lou Ester Petty, Diane Petty, and Shellie Steele, all also of Chicago, IL. Uncle Andrew Petty (Marlene) of Arima, Trinidad and Tobago. A host of first cousins/siblings, cousins, friends, and childhood friend Derrick Smith, and longtime friend/brother Curtis Green.
Matthew 11:28-30: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
