Paul E. Petty

Paul was born March 29, 1929, in Washington, Indiana to parents, William and Mabel (Myers) Petty. The youngest of three children, his siblings Donald and Dorothy ‘Dottie’ Petty have preceded him in death.
The family lived a meager life in the small town of Plainville and were hard workers. Paul’s mother passed away when he was eight years of age and he was raised in the home of an aunt for several years. His teenage years were spent with his father, living on the west side of Indianapolis where he attended Ben Davis High School. He was on the track team and placed third in the state, running the 50-yard dash. When his dad took a new wife, the family moved to Greensburg, IN where Paul attended Delaware Jackson Township High School in Napoleon, IN graduating in 1947. He worked hard on the farm, even driving the mule and plow!
He met his wife Carol while working the butcher counter where she would visit daily. He insisted that he be 21 years of age when married and so they were in April of 1950. He and Carol raised their four children in Beech Grove, Indiana where all four graduated from Beech Grove High School.
Early on, Paul worked various jobs including magazine deliveries and installing custom drapes for Aero Drapery Company in Indianapolis, often working more than one job at a time to support his family. He settled into a career as a commercial baker where he achieved Master Baker status. Students and others enjoyed his creations including beautiful wedding cakes at the IU Student Union in Indianapolis. Paul kept busy maintaining the cars and family home. He could fix most anything. He was self-taught and highly skilled at woodworking and carpentry, building entire room additions, furniture, intricate toys and everything in between.
He was a loyal fan of the Cincinnati Reds and enjoyed watching IU Basketball. He had a reserved personality and was quiet, preferring a simple life with an often repeated phrase- “that’s not necessary” however, responsibilities were always seen to and he never wavered in assisting others, especially the ill or elderly. He could be heard whistling or singing as he went about his chores and he and Carol sang duets at the Methodist Church. He was steady in his faith and lived by the good book.
Paul had a healthy, long life when at the age of 94 on August 9, 2023, he passed into his eternal rest. He is survived by children, Richard Petty (Deborah) of Westfield, Denise Patrick (Michael) of Indianapolis and Brenda Hanson (John) of Dunedin FL; Grandchildren, Kyle Petty, Adam Petty, Chloe (nee) Petty, Brian Pierson, Melinda Faulkner, Cory Patrick, Kevin Patrick, Kelly Patrick Slone, Ashley Hinds; and fifteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by wife Carol, daughter Paula Pierson, and grandchildren, Justin Petty and Hannah Petty.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 18 at noon with visitation from 11am-12pm at Flanner Buchanan Washington Park East (10722 E Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46229). Burial will be at Washington Park East Cemetery.

To view the webcasting of the service, click here: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTY5MjEzNTg1NzI2Njk0MSZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Paul’s hospice care providers at: Transitions Care, 1551 Bond St, Suite 143, Naperville, IL 60563.