Robert M. Patten

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Robert M. Patten, 85, of Cloverdale, died Friday, Sept. 26, 2008 at Mill Pond Health Campus, Greencastle.

Born March 4, 1923, in Morgan County, he was the son of Paul and Minnie (McGinnis) Patten. He married LaVaughn (Smith) Patten on Aug. 24, 1951, and she survives.

Mr. Patten was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served in India and Burma with Merrill's Marauders. He was the owner/operator and president of Smith Farm Machinery Corp., in Cloverdale.

He was a member of the Cloverdale Church of Christ, was past president of the Cloverdale Little League, past president of the Cloverdale Lions Club and a past director of First National Bank for 22 years.

He was also a member of Masonic Lodge No. 440, F&AM, Eminence, Hurst-Collins Post No. 281, American Legion, Cloverdale.

Additional survivors include two sons, Kevin M. Patten and wife Joyce, of Cloverdale, and Kenneth M. Patten and wife Pattie, of Cloverdale; a sister, Ruth "Patty" Drook, of Indianapolis; four grandsons, Travis Patten and wife Morgan, of Bloomington, Kyle Patten, of Cloverdale, Aaron Patten, of Cloverdale, and Matthew Patten, serving in Iraq.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary K. Mabe.

Funeral services will be on Monday, Sept. 29 at 11 a.m. at Whitaker Funeral Home, Cloverdale, with Brother A.J. Cox officiating. Burial will follow at Cloverdale Cemetery.

Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28 at the funeral home.