John (Johnny) Pettry, 87, died Monday, January 20, following a short illness, and a long and full life celebrating his family, faith, and community. John was married to Lois Darlington for more than 67 years, his partner in a lifetime of adventures.

Born and raised in Montcoal, WV, John proudly served in the United States Air Force as an airplane mechanic while stationed in Japan and Fort Worth, TX.  Following his service, he and Lois moved to Cleveland where he worked as an accountant, assistant controller, and landlord. He retired from the May Company at age 50, then continued in various occupations, often simultaneously, including home renovator, wedding photographer, real estate agent, a respected member of his church where he managed the church's county fair food booth and helped organize annual fish fries, always able to find ways to make the work more efficient, profitable, and fun. Once, on a dare from his neighbor, Gitta, he learned to sew, making everything from plaid western shirts to slip covers for the family conversion van. Together with Lois they became avid quilters, flower gardeners, jigsaw puzzlers, world travelers, and fans of the Cleveland Indians/Guardians, Browns and Cavaliers. A graduate of Marsh Fork High School, he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Cleveland State University, attending night school for 15 years while working full-time and raising his family.  He was an avid reader and especially liked presidential history, traveling to visit the burial sites of all former deceased presidents.

John lived the life embodied by his church's social organization, aptly called RFM - Room For More: more family, more friends, more travel, more activities, and more fun.

John is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Lois; brother, Joe (Carol); sons Terry (Bonnie), and Tim (Lisa), and daughter Kim (Randy) Dubs.  Proud grandfather of 21, including Maureen Centa, Stephanie (Jeff) Spencer, Tommy, George, Sara (Anthony) Mion, Nina (Tim) Pagliari, Matthew (Stephanie), Colin (Sarah), Noah (Ellie), Pepper, Abigail (Philippe) Allardice, Christina (Matthew) Marchese, Stephen (Stefany) Dubs, Rebecca (Alex) Ehlert, Adam (Chaemin) Dubs, Josiah Dubs, Bethany (Isaac) Loutzenhizer, Jason Dubs, Tabitha Dubs, Felicity Dubs, and Candace Dubs.  Doting great-grandfather of 24, including Cory, Nicole, Angel, Chanse, Treyson, Cara, Nick, Elizabeth, Nathan, Noah, Elise, Maddie, Max, Pippen, Holden, Nora, Mason, Jackson, Amelia, Elise, Elvera, Diego, Hezekiah, and Micah; (fun)cle to his nieces and nephews, and friend of many.

He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas; mother, May; sisters Rosie, Edna, Betty, Elsie, and Susie, and brother, Tommy.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be directed in John's name to the Brunswick United Methodist Church Kitchen or Fellowship Hall Campaign.

Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m., Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Waite Funeral Home, 3300 Center Rd., Brunswick. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m., Monday, January 27, 2025, at Brunswick United Methodist Church, 1395 Pearl Rd., Brunswick, with one hour of visitation prior to the service at church. Interment will take place at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery at 1:45 p.m.

The funeral service will be livestreamed at www.brunswickumc.org