Patricia F. Barche, 81, Clinton, formerly of Olney and Iuka, passed away at 2:30 a.m. Monday (June 25, 2012) at Liberty Village Manor Court, Clinton.
Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. today at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home, Olney, with the Rev. Steve Griener officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Haven Hill Cemetery, Olney. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, Bloomington.
Patricia was born March 21, 1931, in Olney, the daughter of William and Blondeana Worrell Houser. She married Melvin E. Barche Sr. on March 20, 1951.
She is survived by one son, Chip; special friend, Paula Trice, Olney; and one daughter, Sissy Leggett and husband Rick, Clinton. Also surviving are siblings, Marianne Houser, Iuka; Jane Bateman and special friend Ernie Sutherlin, Flora; and Bill Houser, Iuka; grandsons, James Harmon and wife Sarah, Normal; Matthew Barche and wife Vivian, Goodlettsville, Tenn.; and Nathan Morris, Colorado; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Patricia was a member of First Baptist Church, Olney, as well as a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She graduated from East Richland High School. Upon graduation, she worked for attorney Lawrence L. Arnold until she moved to Virginia with her husband. She worked for the Aeronautical Chart and Information Center in Washington, D.C. from 1954 to 1957. In 1955, she was presented an award of merit at the Pentagon by Col. Edward I. Pratt Jr., USAF commander. She returned to Illinois in 1959 to raise her children and worked as a caseworker for the state of Illinois Department of Public Aid until her retirement in 1982.
She enjoyed singing and tap dancing and performed in the sorority variety shows in Olney for many years. She taught Sunday school at First Baptist Church. She was a devoted mother and sister; her children were her life; and she will be greatly missed.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of the wonderful employees at Liberty Village, past and present, who have cared for Patricia for the last five years. Your kindness, compassion and caring is truly appreciated; she loved you all.
