Edward H. Petrus, 90, passed away at home on September 27, 2026.

Edward was born January 28, 1936, in West Helena, Arkansas, to Willard R. Petrus, Sr., and Eddie N. Davis Petrus. He lived briefly in Arkansas and Louisiana before moving with his family to Willow Springs, Missouri, in 1943, where his father opened Midwest Walnut Company. Edward attended school in Willow Springs and graduated with the Class of 1954.

Following graduation, Edward worked briefly at Midwest Walnut Company before entering the United States Army in 1955. He served in both the National Guard Reserves and on active duty and was honorably retired from the Army in 1975. During his military career, he was stationed in Okinawa, France, Germany, and Vietnam. He also served as an Army recruiter in St. Louis, Poplar Bluff, and Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

While stationed in Cape Girardeau, Edward attended Cape Central Airways School, where he earned his Private Pilot and Commercial Pilot licenses. He later earned his instrument rating at Colorado Aeromotive Company in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

After his military retirement, Edward pursued several different careers. He owned and operated Hammond Station, served as office manager at Cloud 9 Ranch, and worked as a comptroller for weight loss clinics in Chicago, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.

Edward was united in marriage to Jeanie Atkinson on January 16, 1981, in Bakersfield, Missouri. They shared 45 years of marriage.

Ed enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and cherished the time he spent at a friend's ranch in Wyoming. He valued the outdoors, good friendships, and the many experiences he gathered throughout his life.

Edward will be remembered for his dedication to his family and country, his varied and adventurous career, his love of the outdoors, and the friendships he made throughout his life. Ed was a man of Christian faith.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Jeanie Petrus of the family home; two children, Matthew Petrus and wife Sunshine of Abilene, Texas, and Laura Eades of West Plains, Missouri; three grandchildren, Jeremy Eades, Nathan Eades, and Mason Eades; three great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Lawrence Atkinson; sister-in-law, Sharon Petrus; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His parents; granddaughter, Kayla Petrus; three brothers, Willard R. Petrus, Jr., Otis Petrus, and Billy Glenn Petrus; two sisters, Elizabeth (Betty) Newman and Mary (Pat) Holland; and sister-in-law, Linda Burroughs, preceded him in death.


Graveside will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to Baptist Hill Cemetery, and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main Street, West Plains, Missouri.