Obituary of The Rev. William C. Pettibon

The Reverend William C. Pettibon, 78, of Bergquist Apartments, Gerry, died Wednesday October 17, 2012, in Heritage Village Rehab and Skilled Nursing. He was born July 27, 1934, in Mingo Junction, OH, a son of the late William E. and Annabelle Long Pettibon. He was a graduate of McKeesport High School, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Buckhannon, WV and Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, Northwestern, IL. Proudly serving his country, he was a radioman in the US Navy during in the Korean War. He began his pastorate in 1959 and served churches in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Lockport, Brocton, Portville, Salamanca, Buffalo, Forestville and concluding with a 13 year ministry at Buffalo Street United Methodist Church, Jamestown. He taught public school in Brocton and a clowning course at the University at Buffalo. He entertained as the clown "Jelly Belly" doing Gospel Magic. He loved trains and reading science fiction. He was a member of Order of St. Luke, proud EMT for the Forestville Fire Department, Jamestown Lions Club, Master Mason Clown Association of Buffalo, Clowns of America, Fellowship of Christian Magicians. He was also a member of Upper NY Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and active for over 30 years in Camp Farthest Out where he served as speaker and prayer leader. He was a member of International Brotherhood of Magicians, Fellowship of Christian Magicians and the Clowns of America. Surviving are his wife the former Ona Ruth Epler, whom he married August 8, 1959; three daughters Julia L. Pettibon of Jamestown, Jennifer (David) Piatt of Ogdensburg, NY and Sarah Sember of Lockport; grandchildren David Luke of Frewsburg, Erin Luke of Kenmore, NY, Daniel Rhinevault of Dayton, NY, Rachel (Josh) Dettman of Greece, NY, Jessica Devericks of Canandaigua, NY, Eric Sember of Lockport, NY and Jeffrey Hudak, Shaquille Pearson-Kinsey, Johanna, LaCherrie, Patricia and Eric Pettibon all of Jamestown and great grandchildren Braedon and Aubrianna Luke of Kenmore. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Gerry Free Methodist Church. Inurnment will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to United Prayer Tower, c/o Carolyn Miller, 1501 S. Louisiana Avenue, Mason City, IA 50401 or Association of Camps Farthest Out, PO Box 1254, Ogdensburg, NY 13669. You may light a candle in remembrance of Bill at www.lindfuneralhome.com.