Mary F. Patton, 95, of Edinburg passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at 1:35 AM at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. She was born October 15, 1923 at the family homestead in rural Taylorville to Charles and Ethel Hatchett Weiser. She married William “Pete” Patton on March 30, 1942. He preceded her in death on February 25, 1997.
She was a homemaker and a devoted mother to her children, as well as a lifetime member of the Bethel Baptist Church in Sharpsburg, Il., where she taught the Nursery School children for over 50 years. One church member referred to her as “The Pied Piper of Edinburg” because she would drive around town on Sunday mornings picking up any child that wanted to go to Sunday School with her. She had children in the Edinburg schools for approximately 30 years, serving as a Room Mother, attending PTA meetings and sporting events. She was also a Cub Scout leader and a founding member of the Edinburg Lioness Club. Her love of gardening was well known as she could always be seen in her vegetable garden during the hottest part of the afternoon pulling weeds. She shared her abundance of produce with family and friends throughout the community.
She is survived by her 7 children: Greg (Sally) Patton of Atkinson, Il.; Renee (Ned) Dewhirst of Ft. Myers, FL.; Marcia (Tom) Whalley of Ft. Myers, FL.; Peter Patton of Edinburg; Shellie Oehler of Edinburg; Warren (Rhonda) Patton of rural Taylorville and Tammy Patton of Edinburg; 10 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Also surviving are her brother, James Weiser of Columbia, IL and her sister, Janet Baumhardt of Monticello, IL. She was preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law Jeff Oehler, and her brothers Philip Weiser and Warren Weiser.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 1:00 PM at Bethel Baptist Church in Sharpsburg with Pastor Steve Robinson officiating. Burial will be in the Bethel Cemetery following the service. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories of Mary, or condolences to the family, may be left online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.
Memorials in memory of Mary Patton may be made to:
Bethel Baptist Church, 1919 N. 1000 East Road, Taylorville, IL 62568
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, P O Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142.
Edinburg Rescue Squad, Edinburg, IL 62531
