Shirley Alice (Walker) Patchett

Shirley Alice Walker Patchett, 89, passed away after an extended illness on March 11, 2024 at the Bickford of Carmel, in Carmel, Ind. The daughter of Harold Eugene Walker and Alice Ward Walker, she was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1935 in Martinsville, Ill.  She grew up on a farm with her parents and grandmother, Julia Spittler Ward, graduated from Martinsville High School, and married James Orville Patchett Sept. 4, 1954, in the Martinsville Bible Church. They spent their 58 years of marriage together in Pendleton, Ind., Mooresville, Ind., Lakeland, Fla., and Carmel, Ind.

Shirley worked off and on as a bank teller in Illinois and Indiana but also devoted much of her life to raising her two sons, Jeff and Greg, and homemaking. She enjoyed sewing clothes for the family and high school variety shows, crocheting afghans, making crafts and ornaments, and collecting a vast assortment of figurines, baskets, and other home decorations. She was fond of trying out new recipes, taking cruises, and visiting Walt Disney World. Shirley had a special affinity for a number of small dogs over the years including Pomeranians, Dachshunds, and Maltese.

Survivors include sons, Jeffrey Patchett and wife Meg of Kannapolis, N.C., and Gregory Patchett and wife Debbie of Carmel, Ind.; grandsons, Ryan Patchett, Robert “Rob” Patchett, and Jason (Katy) Patchett; granddaughters, Jessica (David Dragseth) Patchett and Lauren (Jake) Harkey; and great-grandchildren, Ada Harkey, Emily Patchett, Ethan Dragseth, Jackson Patchett, Jude Patchett, and Phoebe Patchett. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

A private family graveside service will be held at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Martinsville, Ill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, PO BOX 49104, Baltimore, MD 21297, or give online at www.nami.org. 

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