Julia E. Pettus

Julia E. Pettus, died Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at Trillium Place in Columbus, Ohio. Julia was born in Rochester, NY on February 27, 1924. Upon graduating from high school, Julia went to work for Sibley’s Department Store in the advertizing department. During that time, she met her husband Benjamin, a Navy Signalman. Julia and Ben married in August of 1948 and moved to West Lafayette, IN where Ben soon graduated from Purdue University. In 1950, they moved to Akron, OH for Ben’s employment with Goodyear and to begin raising their four children. In 1967 Goodyear transferred Julia and Ben to Marysville, OH. While managing the household and taking care of four children, Julia took a part-time job in the advertising department of the Marysville Tribune. Years later Goodyear moved the family to Logan, OH and then to Canton, OH where Julia worked for the Akron City Schools as an attendance secretary. It was Julia’s strength and courage that held the family together after Ben suffered a catastrophic stroke in 1977. She took over all the responsibilities of both parents. She supported Ben daily in his challenge to overcome the effects of the stroke and continued to love him unconditionally. In 2005 Julia and Ben moved to Columbus to be closer to their two daughters. Julia is preceded in death by her husband Benjamin, daughter Mary Ellen, son David and brother Joseph LaViola. She is survived by her sister Elizabeth LaViola, of Rochester, NY; daughter Karen (Bobbe Fulton) and granddog Allen II, of Columbus; and son Richard (Coreen) and grandchildren Alicia and Shalice Parker, of Salt Lake City, UT. Her family would like to thank the staff and nurses at Trillium Place, Odyssey Hospice and Phyllis and Nancy of St. Peter Church for their care and affection for Julia. At Julia’s request, there will be a private graveside service at Resurrection Cemetery at a later time to be determined by her family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Canine Companions for Independence, 4989 State Route 37-East, Delaware, OH 43015, in Julia’s memory. Rutherford Funeral Home at Powell, 450 West Olentangy St., Powell, OH 43065 (614)-792-1471 is assisting the family. Send condolences for the family to: www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com.