Carlee Petelle

With profound sadness and deep respect, we remember the life of Carlee Rose Petelle, a truly loving, compassionate, and inspiring woman, who departed this life on Friday, December 1, 2023. Carlee was a beacon of warmth and support, residing in Fort Wayne, Indiana for the past five years. A homemaker by occupation, her influence extended beyond the walls of her own home. After graduating high school, Carlee attended Carthage College and William Rainey Harper College where she obtained her associate's degree in food service management. She was married to her high school sweetheart Donald Petelle in Chicago, Illinois, on August 13, 1950. The couple moved to this area after spending most of their married life in Mt. Prospect, Illinois, Huntley, Illinois, and Elgin, Illinois area. They were married for just under 70 years. Carlee had a gift for cooking, often delighting family and friends with dishes like chili and beef keema, and even won several cooking contests. Her vibrant personality was infectious; she never knew a stranger and always had a way of making those around her feel special and loved. As Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Carlee's legacy is one of love and compassion, and she will be forever remembered for how she made others feel. While residing in Illinois, Carlee was a pillar of her community. She was a member of Job's Daughters in her youth. Together with her husband Don, they were instrumental figures in forming Our Savior's, Martha & Mary, and Sheppard of the Prairie Lutheran churches. Professionally, she excelled as a Mary Kay Consultant and obtained her real estate license to assist her beloved husband with their business Petelle Industrial Real Estate. Carlee's love for her family was the cornerstone of her life. She leaves behind her children, Sharon (Dr. Gerome) Kantor, Gary (Jeannette) Petelle, Carl (Kathi) Petelle, and Steven (Connie) Petelle; grandchildren, Jessica (Brad Turner) Petelle, Todd (Sarah) Petelle, Lindsay (Scott) Watson, Christopher (Haylee) Petelle, Aaron Petelle, Neleigh Cala, and April (Dave) Wilcher, Rachel (Matthew) Miller, Shawn (Natalie) Targgart, Ashley (Scott) Colter; 23 great-grandchildren; numerous great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and special friend, Bill Hoover. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Helen Pochert; husband, Donald Petelle; and sister, Helen Hansen. A public visitation for Carlee will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home, 206 North Main Street Churubusco, Indiana 46725 with a time of sharing starting at 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM. Memorials may be directed to the Donor's Choice.