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Tyler Petty, age 40, passed away on July 2, 2025, at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis as a result of complications from cancer.
He was born to Gordon and Kirsten Stenback Petty in Evanston, Ill., on Dec. 17, 1984.
Tyler was always learning. He was homeschooled and ultimately graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English journalism from Grace College in 2007. His pursuit of knowledge continued as he earned a master’s degree from Ball State University in 2012, demonstrating his intellectual curiosity and dedication to his craft.
Over the years, he wrote film criticism, maintained a newsletter and taught college-level English as an adjunct. More recently, he worked at Zimmer Biomet in the packaging department.
Tyler was a deep thinker, known for his kind and helpful nature. A voracious reader and a writer at heart, he connected with others online who shared his sense of humor and appreciation for the weird. He was most comfortable expressing himself through the written word and leaves behind wonderful stories and essays.
Tyler was a lover of live music — from his high school days attending punk rock shows in sweaty basements to the more recent years he spent traveling to see the bands and artists he loved in concert. Derek Webb, The Mountain Goats, Modest Mouse and Janelle Monáe were some of his favorites.
He loved video games, film, dogs, science fiction and his mom’s cooking. He had a great sense of humor and was always up for discussing books, movies and culture. He was also an avid sports fan, particularly enjoying watching the Pacers and Chicago Bulls with his dad and brother. In later years, he would often have a niece perched on one knee and his laptop balanced on the other as he shared whatever game was happening that day.
Tyler was a member of Valley Springs Fellowship and South Bend City Church, where he found community and shared in his faith.
He is remembered as a thoughtful individual, full of curiosity and wit, who made the people he cared about feel seen and known.
He is survived by his loving parents, Gordon and Kirsten Petty, of Warsaw; and his brother, Adam Fleming Petty; and sister-in-law, Erin, of Grand Rapids, Mich. Tyler also embraced his role as an uncle to his beloved nieces, Ellery and Louisa.
Tyler was preceded in death by his grandparents, Martin and Dicie Petty and Vern and Wilma Stenback.
Friends and family will have the opportunity to celebrate Tyler's life during visitation on July 19 from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by his Life Celebration at noon at Titus Funeral Home in Warsaw. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to the Fair Haven Foundation, 1702 W. 16th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202-2031.
To leave a condolence, please visit www.TitusFuneralHome.com
