Catherine ‘Katie’ Gaynelle Patton
Catherine “Katie” Gaynelle Patton, 91, of Springfield, and formerly of Southern Illinois, died on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, at Memorial Hospice at Heritage.
She was born on Sept. 19, 1926, in Delwood, Pope County, the daughter of James Dent and Sylvia Morse.
She married Earl Dean Patton on Christmas Day, 1948, in Carbondale. Earl Dean preceded her in death on Sept. 28, 2014, just short of his 92nd birthday and what would have been their 66th anniversary.
She attended school in Pope County and Cobden, prior to receiving her bachelor of arts degree at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
She met the love of her life at SIU after Earl Dean returned from the Great War. Upon Katie’s graduation and Earl receiving his master of arts degree, the newlyweds taught school in Shawneetown and later in Virginia, Ill.
After Earl accepted an administrative position with the Kankakee public school system, they decided to start a family, and until her last day, Katie remained unwaveringly devoted to her sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Earl continued his career path as school superintendent, which took the Patton family to Urbana, Culver City, Calif., and finally Springfield. During this time, Katie happily ran the household and took care of her sons and husband. Catherine was an excellent homemaker and mother.
After sending her sons off to college, Katie attained her broker’s license and became a very successful realtor in Springfield.
After Earl retired, the couple moved outside of Eldorado, on the old Patton family farm, where they presided over family “get-togethers” and provided guidance and support to the entire clan. Katie continued to be active gardening, sewing and ultimately becoming sole caregiver for her beloved husband in his last few years.
Her family said Katie was the kindest, most gentle women you could imagine-she always placed others needs and wants above her own and never uttered a cross word. Her love for her family was unwavering and foremost in all her decisions and actions.
Catherine finally surrendered to the cumulative effects of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but up until her very last days and even with severely impaired speech, she always managed to say “I love you.”
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by sisters Helen Austin, Betty Jo Lamar and brother Blair.
She is survived by her sons Kevin (Nancy) Patton and Brian (Kim) Patton; brother Austin (Peggy) Dent; grandchildren William (Melanie) Patton, Ryan (Delaney) Patton and Catherine (Daryl Fulmer); great-grandchildren Abigail, Hannah and Jackson; nephews Mark Austin (Christine), Vince Lamar and Jake Dent; nieces Debbie Jo Crain (Stephen), Rebecca Taylor (Norman) and Laura Clark; along with many great-nieces and nephews.
The family voiced appreciation to all of those at Wyndcrest Assisted Living, Reflections Memory Care, Between You and I (Suzie and Teena) and Memorial Hospice at Heritage who took such good care of Mom.
Funeral services for Mrs. Patton were at noon Wednesday, Jan. 3, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Cobden, with the Rev. Ed Falgout officiating. Interment was in the Cobden Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Cobden was in charge of arrangements.