Russell Lowell Patten

Russell L. Patten, 90, of Pekin passed away at 7:00 pm Saturday, September 3, 2011 at Pekin Manor. Russ was born on August 12, 1921 in Pekin to Sylvester Sutton and LaVina (Wickkizer) Patten. He married Florence Brumns on June 30, 1949 in Pekin. Preceding in death are his parents, one son, David Patten and one sister, Virginia Grunloh. Surviving are: his wife, Florence of Pekin; one son, Robert Patten of Pekin; two daughters, Vicki (Thomas) McKinley of Pekin and Peggy Patten of Peoria Heights, IL; three grandchildren, Lanette Trenholm of Pekin, Christopher McKinley of Yucaipa, CA and James R. McKinley of Carbondale, IL; eight great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren. Russ was a World War II veteran of the United States Navy and served forty-two months in the Philippines. He was employed at Keystone Steel and Wire Company for thirty-five years retiring in 1981. Russ was member of Grace United Methodist Church and the Methodist Men. He was a 50 year member of William Schafer Post #44 American Legion and served as Commander, blood donor chairman and was known as the 'The Flag Man'.He was the 16th District Commander and Boys State Chairman for the American Legion,. He was a member and volunteer of Elks,Friends of the Library, Tazewell County Historical Museum, Pekin Jaycees, Pekin Coin Club, Roy L. King Post 1232 VFW, DeMolay and President of the Keystone Retirees Club. Russ was a volunteer escort at Pekin Hospital for twenty-seven years with over 4000 hours of volunteer service. He was active in the Tazewell County Republican Party including service as a precinct committeeman and was the 2001 Tazewell County Man of the Year. Also in 2001 he was named the Elks Club member of the year. Russ enjoyed collecting stamps, ink pens, mechanical pencils and national convention badges. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at Grace United Methodist Church. Rev.Gary Ford will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Tuesday, September 6 at Henderson Funeral Home in Pekin and from 10:00 am - 11:00 am Wednesday at the church. Burial will be Lakeside Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Navy and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team. Memorial contributions may be made to Land of Lincoln Honor Flight 57 Country Place Springfield, IL 62703 orto Grace United Methodist Church 503 N. 4th Street Pekin, IL 61554. Visitation Wednesday, September 7, 2011 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Grace United Methodist Church 601 N. 4th Street Pekin,IL 61554 Visitation Tuesday, September 6, 2011 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Henderson Funeral Home and Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,IL 61554 Service Wednesday, September 7, 2011 11:00 AM Grace United Methodist Church 601 N. 4th Street Pekin,IL 61554 Cemetery Lakeside Cemetery 1917 N. 8th Street Pekin,IL 61554