Karleen J. Pettis, age 80, a resident of Lyndonville, VT, went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 19, 2019, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois. She was born May 27, 1938 in Midland, Michigan to Carl and Eileen Strayer (Bowsher). A Graduate of Midland High School in 1956; and a Graduate of Albion College of Michigan in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education. She was a member of Jobe's Daughters and served as Honor Queen. She worked with the Summer Migrant Ministry program through the Michigan Council of Churches, teaching and leading the Summer Program for migrant children as their parents worked in the orchards and fields along Lake Michigan. She taught Elementary School in Royal Oak and Petersburg Public Schools prior to her marriage to Seminarian, Warren Pettis in 1964. When the children were in high school, she renewed her teaching credentials and worked as a substitute teacher for various elementary schools in the Gaylord area of Northern Michigan until her retirement in 1998. She was a faithful homemaker and Pastor's wife in all the churches her husband was appointed to in the Detroit Conference of the United Methodist Church. She led the Children's Church ministry during worship and was actively involved in the United Methodist Women's Organization of each Parish. In retirement, she was a regular member of the Lyndonville UMC Tuesday Ladies Bible Study group.

She is survived by her husband, Warren Pettis of Lydonville, VT; 3 children: Devon (Ann) Pettis of Fremont, MI; Darren Pettis (Danielle Burck) of Huntley, IL; and Liesl (David) Mann of Wheaton, IL; 5 grandchildren: Madison, Conner and Sean of Fremont, MI; Alyn and Chase of Wheaton, IL; brother, James (Phylis) Strayer of Midland, MI; sister, Connie(Rod) Zwick of Phoenix, AZ; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Margie (Keith) Kemmer of Midland, MI.

Due to how spread out her family and friends are, Karleen requested that there be no Public Funeral. She also wished to be cremated and her ashes spread, along with her husband's, on their beloved Balsam Ridge Farm. It was here that they chose to spend their retirement, in the home they built together and which was the only home they ever owned, with views of the Green Mountains, surrounded by beautiful flower gardens that she lovingly tended.

The family thanks Rev. Brian Felker-Jones of Gary Memorial UMC for holding a private family service following her passing with prayers and scripture, anointing her body and commending her Spirit to God. His words reminded us of our faith and the hope of the Resurrection. Our thanks to all the Churches, Pastors, Parishioners and other individuals offering prayers of comfort, cards, letters, and calls this difficult last year of Karleen's life, as well as the compassionate staff at Central DuPage Hospital and Tim Hultgren of Hultgren Funeral Home; God's richest blessings on you all.

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, No ear has heard, No mind has conceived, What God has prepared for those who love Him" 1 Corinthians 2:9