Donald Dean Pettay

Donald Dean Pettay, age 79, of New Philadelphia, formerly of Freeport, died peacefully surrounded by his family Sunday June 26, 2022 at 8:40 a.m. in Truman House Community Hospice in New Philadelphia, Ohio after a long period of declining health.

He was born November 1, 1942 in Coshocton, Ohio; a son of the late Donald Rolland Pettay and Virginia June Widder Pettay.   

He was a 1960 graduate of Freeport High School. Following graduation, he attended Linotype School which led to his long career working in the printing industry which included the Freeport Press and New Philadelphia Times Reporter.  He also had a career building and manufacturing large vehicles under Simon Duplex, ASAP, Sable, and Kimble Company all of Tuscarawas County. Everyone knew him for his passion of owning and restoring classic cars, especially his Model A and his 57 Chevy.

Don was a 45 year member of the Freeport Masonic Lodge #415 and  was a 32nd Degree Mason with Scottish Rite of Cambridge. He was also a member of the Freeport Presbyterian Church.

His wife of 48 years, Joyce Ann Wright Pettay, survives. They were married February 15, 1974.

Also surviving are his beloved children: Trisha (Michael) Otts of Breckenridge, Texas, Beth (Greg) Kyle of Newark, Brenda (Corey) Brooks of Avon Lake, Michael (Tif) Pettay of Dover, and Andrea (Paul) Poillucci of Morgantown, West Virginia; eleven grandchildren: Cody, Travis, Shannon, Caitlynn, Hannah, Lauren, Mason, Brock, Rylan, Arabella, and Giulio; and several great-grandchildren; his sister, Suellen (Dean) Mills of New Philadelphia; his mother-in-law, Ethel Paxton of Scio; sister-in-law, Donna (Gene) Dunlap of Carrollton, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Rollin Wright.

Private visitation and services for the family will be held at their convenience. Burial will follow in Greenmont Union Cemetery, Freeport.

Koch Funeral Home, 216 S High Street, Freeport was entrusted with Don’s arrangements. Online condolences may be made on their website at www.kochfuneralhome.net

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