Russell Patterson
Alton |
Russell F. “Pat” Patterson, age 91, died on Sunday, December 19, 2010 in Alton, Illinois.
Pat was born, July 8, 1919, in Alton, Illinois, the son of Russell and Nora Chappell Patterson. He was a graduate of Alton High School and attended Shurtleff College (Southern Illinois University).
A veteran of World War II, Sgt. Patterson served with the Third Armored Division from the invasion at Normandy, the advance through France and the attack on the Rhineland. While on a reconnaissance mission in March 1945 near Paderborn, Germany he was wounded in action and captured by German forces. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart among his other military decorations.
Following his return from service, Pat worked as an electrician for Standard Oil in Wood River. He was active in Alton sports as a member of the city softball league and was an avid golfer with his wife Polly. He was a lifelong member of the Cherry Street Baptist Church and sang with the Light Opera Guild of St. Louis for several years.
Two daughters; Sandra Moyer of Alton, and her husband Barry, and Jane VanWinkle, of Bartlett, Illinois and her husband David, survive him. He is also survived by five grandchildren; Susan Marie (Schrimpf) Hatfield, Matthew William Schrimpf, Sarah Ann (Moyer) Sanders, Lindsay Nicole (Parrish) Jones, Megan Elise (Moyer) Baiter, and eight great-grandchildren. His sister Mary (Patterson) Griffin resides in Jacksonville; and his dedicated caregiver and loving friend, Pam Tite lives in East Alton, IL.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lois Pauline “Polly” George of Dardanelle, Arkansas whom he married in Alton on Easter Sunday 1943. She died at their home in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1996. His oldest daughter Barbara Schrimpf of Alton, died in 2003. Three brothers Kenneth, George, and Harold predeceased him.
The visitation will be on Tuesday, December 21, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Elias, Kallal, Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey, IL. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, December 22, at the Elias, Kallal, Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey, IL with Dr. Daymond Talkington officiating. The VFW Post 1308 Ritual Team will conduct military Rites. Burial will be in Upper Alton Cemetery, Alton. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are by Elias Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey.
Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
