Pauleta Jean York, 81, of Dunlapsville, Indiana / Ocala, Florida / Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on August 25, 2022. At the time of her passing, she resided at Traditions of Smyrna Assisted Living facility in Smyrna, Tennessee, where she had moved to be closer to her family. She was surrounded by her son, his family, and many loving staff members in the two days preceding her death.
Born November 16, 1940 in Richmond, Indiana, she is the daughter of the late Glenn Melbourne Fields and Ruth Helen Jennings.
In 1954, Pauleta met the love of her life, Robert York, on a blind date. They were married on May 21st, 1957 at the home of a pastor in Springersville, Indiana. They would have celebrated their 65th anniversary this year. Pauleta and Robert were known as P.J. and Bob by many of their family members and close friends.
During the early years of her marriage, as Bob served our country in the United States Navy for more than twenty years, serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, P.J. cared for their family as they moved to military bases in Rhode Island, Orange Texas, San Diego California, Marin County California, and Guam. Upon the completion of Bob’s service to our country, P.J. and her family returned to Dunlapsville Indiana, living in her childhood home until 1996, when the couple moved to Ocala Florida for their golden years.
For many years, before and after retirement, P.J. and Bob enjoyed traveling together. They were huge cruise enthusiasts and enjoyed sailing on many cruise ships all through the Caribbean and South America. Whenever possible, they loved to be joined on their voyages by family members and close friends. P.J. loved collecting jewelry during her travels and could recall when and where each piece of her collection was purchased as well as what kind of bargain she was able to negotiate! In the early 1980s, the couple enjoyed following their two sons to various night clubs throughout the local area as they played in a well known cover band called Sahara Suite. Pauleta was an animal lover and was passionate about financially supporting multiple animal care organizations/charities. During the years she lived in Dunlapsville as an adult, Pauleta volunteered on the Dunlapsville Cemetery Association, researching some of the oldest grave sites in the cemetery and manually creating maps of the entire cemetery property, identifying many unmarked or poorly marked grave sites. She was an avid student of history and politics and loved to participate in lively debate. For many years, P.J. was an active supporter and volunteer for the local and regional Democrat party. During the late 1970s into the early 1980s she worked at the Union County Courthouse in the Recorders office.
P.J. and Bob raised three children together: Ronald Glenn (Emily Brady) of Nashville, Tennessee; Steven Clinton (deceased) of Rushville, Indiana; and Debra Jean (Don) Casey of Ocala, Florida. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Samantha York (Anthony Moff), Veronica York Eckart, Nicole York (Ben) LaFever, Ashley York, Danielle Putek, in addition to seven great-grandchildren, Payton Mcfarland, Kayla and Kamryn Dickson, Stori Driver, Aliyah and Adalyn LaFever, and Raelynn Waynick. Also surviving are her brother-in-law Dallas Fox and his three children Vicki Fox (Jack) Black, Melanie Fox (John) Simon, Phillip (Lynette Indermill) Fox, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Along with her parents and son Steven, she was preceded in death by her husband, Naval Lieutenant Robert Ronald York and her sister, Melba June Fox.
Visitation with the family will be at Miller, Moster, Robbins Funeral Home in Connersville, Indiana on Saturday, September 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., concluding with a short memorial service. Burial will be immediately following at the Dunlapsville Cemetery where she will be laid to rest among multiple generations of her family. Immediately following the grave side services, a bereavement meal will be held at the Daniel Girls Farmhouse Restaurant on Central Avenue in Connersville.
To share a fond memory or leave a condolence for the family, visit millermosterrobbins.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dunlapsville Cemetery Association or the Fayette County Animal Shelter.