Terril Ivan "Terry" Pettit

Terril Ivan "Terry" Pettit, 60 of Indianapolis formerly of Columbus, died at 1:32 p.m. October 2, 2025, at IU Health Methodist Hospital surrounded by his two loving children, Aeriel and Caleb.

Terril was born in Columbus September 01, 1965, the only son of the late John Lynford Pettit and Almira Faye Green Pettit of Columbus.

Terril married Barbara Ellen Ault May 20, 1989, in Columbus and together they had two wonderful children, Aeriel Rose (Aaron) Richardson and Caleb John (Zarius Woodruff) Pettit both of Columbus, all of whom survive. On November 18, 2024, he had the greatest honor to be called Pappy to his first grandchild, Baylor John Pettit of Columbus.

Terril was a proud brother to three sisters, Tina Denise Long, Tamara Rose "Tammy" Hollen and Tonia Almira (Barry) Medaris all of Columbus. He was a fun and loving uncle to four nieces, Denise (Tim) Sharpe, Crystal (Travis) Miller, Lyndsey (Ryan) Thoman and Reagan Medaris all of Columbus and four nephews, Christopher (Ashley) Zeigler of Scipio, Trevor (Heather) Burton of Columbus, Nick (Sarah) Burton of Greenwood and Taylor Hollen of Columbus. Also surviving are an uncle; Roy Ivan (Wanda) Green of North Vernon, and numerous great nieces, great nephews, and cousins, as well as a host of friends whom he enjoyed joking and spending time with.

In May of 2022, Terril met Lorie Ellert of Indianapolis who worked for him at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. They hit it off and enjoyed each other's interests in racing, football, baseball, basketball, bands, wineries, and most of all spending time together as a fun and loving couple.

On January 09, 2023, Terril rescued Cocoa Krispie, a Pit-Bull Mix and they were both blessed by each other's presence.

Mr. Pettit was a 1983 graduate of Columbus North High School and a 1986 graduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Service in Jeffersonville where he received his associate degree with honors. He was a member and past officer of the Pi Sigma Eta Fraternity, a professional fraternity for students of funeral service.

A native of Columbus, Mr. Pettit was proud to serve the community as a funeral director for Myers Funeral Service for over 30 years. He became the manager of Reed & Jewell Chapel in 1995 and following the acquisition of Myers-Reed Chapel, Hathaway-Myers Chapel and The Columbus Crematory by Texas based Service Corporation International Dignity Memorial Funeral & Cemetery Providers, Mr. Pettit became General Manager in 2002. He had over 30 years of loyalty, trustworthiness, and dedication to Myers Funeral Service and the community in which he served.

He took extraordinary joy in his part-time employment at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for forty plus years where he served as the Supervisor of Grandstand B and a member of the Safety Patrol since 1984 and was on the Special Events Team since 2019.

Terril was a member of Memorial Baptist Church in Columbus where he had served as an Usher, Usher Captain, Sunday School Teacher, Deacon and Chair of the Deaconate, Sound Board Operator and had performed in several drama productions. He was also a member of the Columbus Area Emmaus Community, the Friday Morning Men's Bible Study, and the Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Club.

He was a former member of St. John's Masonic Lodge, Indianapolis Valley of Scottish Rite, and was a Past President, Secretary-Treasurer of the Columbus High Twelve Club.

Mr. Pettit was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers, IU Basketball, Indiana Pacers, Tony Stewart, and Danica Patrick Racing fan. He enjoyed conversations about being a player in the "Hoosiers" movie as well as his hole in one at Salt Creek Golf Course in Brown County. Terril enjoyed coaching many youth basketball and soccer teams that his children played on. He enjoyed playing golf, but his greatest hobby was riding his motorcycles.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, October 9th, 2025, at Barkes, Weaver, and Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street; Tim Hoeflinger will officiate. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 a.m. until service time Thursday.

Private interment of the urn will be at Flat Rock Baptist Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Baylor John's college fund, the Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers Club, or the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.

Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family and a video tribute of the life of Terril may be viewed at www.barkesweaverglick.com.