BRISTOL -- Juanita Jeanette Gullotta, 78, of 21765 Knob Cone Court, Bristol, formerly of 3600 E. Bristol St., Elkhart, died at 7:37 a.m. Tuesday (July 4, 2006) at the home of her daughter, Gaetana Eades, with whom she lived, after an extended illness.

She was born March 18, 1928, in Elkhart to Harold H. and Corin Jeanette (Larson) Hart. She married Leonard J. Gullotta on May 29, 1949, in Goshen. He died Dec. 27, 2003, in South Bend.

She is survived by two daughters, Gaetana (Mark) Eades and Leslie (Kris) Lauver, both of Elkhart; three sons, Leonard (Bobbi) Gullotta of Elkhart, Patrick (Kris) Gullotta of Clermont, Fla., and Michael (Melissa) Gullotta of Fountain Valley, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by one daughter, Catherine Gullotta; and one sister, Florence "Flossie" Rossi.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Billings Funeral Home, and a half hour prior to the 11:30 a.m. Saturday funeral service at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. The Rev. Bill Sullivan of the church will officiate. Burial will follow in Rice Cemetery, Elkhart. A vigil service will take place at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Gullotta enjoyed being a wife, mother and homemaker. Her faith and family were central to her life. She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and the Daughters of Isabella. An avid Notre Dame fan, her many interests included crossword puzzles, flower arranging, ceramics and arts and crafts.

Memorials may be given to Care at Home Hospice, 1721 S. Main St., Goshen, IN 46526 or the American Heart Association, 6100 W. 96th St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46278. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com.