Eloise Patton

Mary Eloise Patton, age 88, earned her angel wings on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at her home of 68 years in Timewell.  She was born November 12, 1929 in Bainbridge Township, Schuyler County, Illinois in the home of her grandparents, the second daughter of Raymond O. and Margaret E. Bailey Bridgewater.  She was affectionately known as “the hard road baby” since highway 103 was being built nearby when she was born.  She spent her childhood in the countryside around Versailles, Illinois surrounded by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.  She attended Versailles Schools and the La Grange Chapel in her youth.

She ventured out into the world of work at the tender age of 16 becoming a nanny for the Calvo family and a waitress at various restaurants in Mt. Sterling, where she met the love of her life, Robert L. Patton.  They were married December 17, 1949 in the Mt. Sterling Methodist Church Parsonage and enjoyed nearly 69 years of marriage before Bob died on October 7^th of 2017. 

Eloise had many hobbies, including babysitting grandchildren, reading, making ceramics, macramé, embroidery, making beads, decorating sweatshirts for her family, and riding her four-wheeler.  She was always up for an adventure with her grandchildren and loved playing board games and riding four wheelers with them.  Her greatest achievement was her children, who she lovingly cared for and worried about until the day of her passing.  In later years she became a nurse’s aide at local nursing homes and became an EMT working for the Brown County Ambulance Service for many years.  She thrived on caring for others and shared her caring and compassionate spirit with all she met.  Another of her proud accomplishments was studying for and earning her GED degree at age 51 in 1980.

She loved to collect angel figures and always lovingly cared for her pet dogs and cats.

She was a long-time member of the Mt. Sterling First United Methodist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary. 

She is survived by 3 children, James L. Patton and his wife Mary, who she loved like a daughter, of Timewell, Mary Beckman and her husband Chuck of Columbus, Illinois and David Patton of Timewell.  1 sister Dorothy Hauser of Yorkville, Illinois.  6 grandchildren, Matt Logsdon, Sara (Brandon) Bartz, Justin Patton, Jared Patton, Austin (Kristen) Patton and Blake Patton.  6 great grandchildren, Kruse Logsdon, Connor Bartz, Cason Bartz, Jayden Patton, Brinlee Patton and Beau Patton.  She is also survived by her special niece, Esther Blacker, her special cousin, Ray Bridgewater and brother and sister in law Richard and Rosalie Patton. 

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, an infant daughter, her older sister, Dora Mae Peacock and great niece Shelley Peacock. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 11, 2018 in the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling.

Burial will be in the Mounds Cemetery near Timewell, Illinois.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening at the funeral home.   Friends may also call from 8:00 a.m. until the time of services on Friday.

Memorials are suggested to the Mt. Sterling First United Methodist Church, Shriner’s Hospital for Children or UnityPoint at Home Hospice. 

Condolences for the family may be left online at www.hendrickerfuneralhome.com.

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is in charge of the arrangements.

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