Karleen J. Pettis
Karleen J. Pettis, wife of Rev. Warren D. Pettis (retired 1998) passed away Good Friday, April 19, 2019 at DuPage Central Hospital, DuPage, Illinois following a year of declining health. Karleen Strayer Pettis, was a daughter of Carl & Eileen (Bowsher) Strayer of Midland, Michigan. She grew up in the Midland First United Methodist Church making her Confession Faith in Christ there. A graduate of Albion College, Class of 1960 with a BA in early elementary education. She taught in Royal Oak and Petersburg Schools prior to her marriage to Warren in 1964. She also worked in the summer program of the Migrant Ministry through the Michigan Council of Churches. Following Karleen and Warren’s marriage in June of 1964, she became the Children’s Church Leader in each of the Church/Charges they were sent to serve. Along with working with children, she was active in each of the churches UMW programs. After the birth of their children, Devon, Darren and Liesl, she became a ‘stay-at-home mom’ and pastor’s wife, giving her gifts to each church served and being helpmate to her husband. When the children were in high school she took classes to renew her teaching credentials and substitute taught in the Gaylord area until her retirement in 1998. She was blessed with 5 grandchildren who lovingly knew her as, “Gigi”. In 1998 Warren and Karleen built their retirement on their Balsam Ridge Farm on Vail Hill in the town of Lyndon, Caledonia, County, Vermont, surround by the green mountains with every day holding a new reminder that ‘God’s in his heaven and all is right with the world.”
There will be no public funeral as she requested. Her body was cremated and the ashes along with Warren’s when his departure comes will be strewn on the only property and home they ever owned. Our thanks to God over how he has looked after us.
Condolences can be sent to Warren at his email address: [email protected] or his daughter’s address: 1021 N Main St, Wheaton, IL 60187.
Last Updated on April 25, 2019