It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of my Dad, John Mahlon Pettibone, at age 93, on February 2, 2024. John's physical health gave way to cancer, organ failure, after a long struggle with dementia.

Born on May 10, 1930, John leaves behind a legacy full of achievements, wisdom, and love. John is survived by his son, John Michael (Mike) Pettibone, who carry forward his father's name, along with his grandchildren- Jerah Beth Pettibone and Jason Michael Pettibone.

A memorial service to celebrate John's life will be held on April 1, 2024, at 11:00 AM, performed by the First United Methodist Church of Farmington Michigan, at the Oakwood Cemetery.  All relatives, friends, neighbors, etc., who knew John are welcome to join, or are invited to post a memory here, to share in remembering his life.

John was a man of many facets - witty, inquisitive, humorous, talkative, well-read, and political. His mind was a treasure trove of knowledge, (especially about WWII), but he was also known for his occasional absent-mindedness and serious demeanor. He firmly believed in the freedom of individual choice and often shared his Classical Liberal philosophy that each person should be free to do what they think is best in every situation. 

John's life was a testament to his relentless pursuit of knowledge. He held two Masters degrees from the University of Michigan, and a PhD at Ohio State University. His thirst for knowledge transcended into his professional life, where he served in his career in the Criminal Justice System, eventually becoming the Director of Probation and Parole for the State of Maryland. John served proudly in the Michigan National Guard during the 1960's. In his leisure time, he raised and showed Maltese Terriers, penned two novels, and dabbled in portrait photography. 

John's early life was set on a small family farm in Michigan. Following the death of his father Charles Burton Pettibone when John was just 5 years old, the family moved in with his grandparents to the town of Farmington. He later attended primary and secondary school there, where his mother Evageline Bradley Pettibone served as a High School Science Teacher during the 1930's through the 1950's.  These were hard times, and later in his life John shared in detail many of the struggles that he, his family and his community endured. Like others who grew up during the Great Depression, John learned that the value of life was not found in the abundance of material possessions.

In the 1950's John's journey in pursuit of higher education led him to  the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  John married his High School sweetheart, Dorothy May Beckwith, and together they had two children, Beth and Mike. John's commitment and support of his family was evident, and he maintained close relationships with his wife's California relatives, the wonderful Jeffrey family. Of further note was John's devoted care and lifelong support for his mother Evangeline, and John's care for his daughter Beth Anne- before her untimely death in 2021. 

John's life was filled with accomplishments, love for his family, and a deep commitment to his beliefs. The family extends our heartfelt thanks to the many friends, relatives, neighbors, and caregivers who supported John in his final years. 

John requested a Methodist Funeral, at the church where he grew up as a boy in Farmington. We thus commit his soul to the Mercy of our Loving Heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ. The season of John's passing was not unexpected, but his sense of humor, consideration, love, and many memories will remain in our hearts.

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