Birth date: May 2, 1942 Death date: Aug 17, 2009
Melvin D. Patton, 67, of Columbia, IL, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2009. He was born in Belleville, IL, the son of Edgar and Jonelia (Becherer) Patton. Mel starred in two sports, basketball and baseball at BTHS, played collegi Read Obituary
Candy,Deron, Kaitlyn, JD, Kim & Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Realizing that there are no words, please know that your family is in my thoughts and my prayers and may God be with all of you.
Sincerely,
Michelle (Pulcher) Fink
To the Patton family, who were always so close and considerate of each other, we send our condolences. Mel was truly the patriarch of his immediate family and I know that Candy and the kids must be in a daze. Unfortunately we have not seen Mel and Candy since moving away from Columbia. I did go by their house in May of 2008 and saw JD, at which time he told me they were also living in Florida. It is good that they moved back here to be close to the support of family. Again, we are so sorry.
I have felt Mel's warmness, and true kindness during his time he spent while at Keiser Career College. I was lucky enough to get to know him while he was here, and have him to thank for where I'm at now. Some of my fondest memories are of us chatting about our hometowns in Illinois.
When Mel started with us at KCC, I was the receptionist, and soon after, he promoted me to Assistant Bursar. If not for Mel, I would not now be in the Financial Aid department.
I can only hope that Mel knew how truly appreciated he was.
This must be a terrible loss to your family & friends, and I can only hope that you will find peace in knowing what an amazing person he was.
May the love of all those that Mel has helped, myself included, come as support in this time of need.
May he always live on through your family & friends.
My Deepest Condolences,
Jennifer Ryan O'Keefe
Financial Aid Officer
Keiser Career College
St. Petersburg, FL
Larry & the Patton family, please accept our condolences. Mel was a great guy.
Remembering the good days at Pontiac school & B.T.H.S
Lynn and Larry;
I'm sorry to hear the news about your brother. My God watch over your family during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
When I think of Mel,I think of his smile, laugh, and the fun times spent at Fontbonne visiting in the cafeteria, passing in the halls, and listening to him teach Business Law at 8 in the morning! He always gave me a hard time because I did not come to class with my hair fixed and makeup on. I would go back and get ready after class to go to lunch. He would always call me on that in the cafeteria and say I did not look like that for his class. He was such a jokester and a lot of fun! I will never forget his voice, especially announcing the football games at CHS!
I pray for his family and friends who are going through this hard time. You have my condolences!
Love,
Christine Matrisotto
I am truly sorry for your loss. I met Mr.Patton when he taught at Collinsville High School. In 1971 I was a senior and he was my Business Law teacher. I remember him as a truly great teacher and a wonderful guy. He brought ideas to
class that no other teacher had.
Our senior field trip was to Menard Prison and I will never forget that. My friends and I have
talked about Mr. Patton and that trip many times. Please accept my greatest sympathy.
To the family of Mel Patton: I was a student at Fontbonne in the mid to late 1980s. Mel was always a wonderful spirit to be around. He always had a smile on his face and was genuinely interested in the students. He had an open door and we all knew that if you had a problem, you could always talk with Mel about it. He encouraged us to do our best. Mel was a major influence in my decision to go to law school. He told me many stories about his law school days and particularly how he went to school at night to complete his degree. I had not seen Mel in years but I can imagine that he was still enjoying his life to the fullest.
He was a wonderful person and he will be dearly missed. My sympathies are with your entire family.
I met Mel during his time at the Keiser Career College in Saint Petersburg Florida. I am very fortunate to have spent time with him at this campus and see his compassion and warmth as a collegiate administrator.
On down times he often spoke of his wife Candy and his Grandchildren whom he was so fond of. We often talked about his baseball playing days, and of his hometown in Illinois. I send my deepest condolences to the whole family in your time of loss.
I hope that Mr. Patton, and family knew he was appreciated and touched many with his kindness and warmth. Mel was an amazing man, and I hope his memories will stand strong with your family and friends in light of this loss.
May your memories stand strong, I send my deepest condolences.
Stephanie Johnston
Saint Petersburg, Fla
Candy and family, It has been such a long time since we have been around each other. The times we all shared together are still precious to me and I will never forget them. Mel was and is a great person. Feel lucky to have had the time you had with him. He will never be forgotten. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong.
