Obituary of Esther Patton

Esther Mae Patton Funeral services for Esther Mae Patton of Elsberry, MO were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 6, 2003 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Rev. Doug McGlaughlin, assistant pastor of the First Baptist Church of Troy, MO, officiated with burial in Elsberry City Cemetery in Elsberry. Serving as pallbearers were Jim Ross, Bob Sharpe, Charlie Waggoner, Pat Mesker, Greg Westerman, and Bruce Westerman. Mrs. Patton, 86, died Wednesday afternoon, September 3, 2003 at Lincoln County Medical Center in Troy, MO. Born October 4, 1916 in Montgomery City, MO, she was the daughter of the late Basil Albert and Anna Marie Knapke Halsema. She was united in marriage on November 25, 1937 in Troy, MO to Charles DeGerlia. He preceded her in death. She was employed for a number of years as a waitress. She was united in marriage again on March 31, 1972 in Louisiana, MO to Reavis Patton. She was a former member of the Rebekka's and a member of the American Legion Post #226 Ladies Auxiliary in Elsberry. Besides her parents, Basil and Anna Halsema, and first husband, Charles DeGerlia, she was preceded in death by two brothers: Harmon Halsema and Daniel Halsema; five sisters: Florence Bryant, Blanche Shumaker, Marie Stewart, Bernice Downing, and Irene Fines; one step-son Robert Patton; two grandchildren: Paul Albert DeGerlia and Paula Lee DeGerlia and her second husband, Reavis Patton, who died April 30, 1989. Survivors include one son William "Bill" DeGerlia and his wife, Janice, of Elsberry; one daughter, Jeanni Patton of St. Peters, MO; one step-daughter, Kathryn Meyer of Danville, IL; seven grandchildren and many step-great-grandchildren. She also leaves one sister, Grace Zumwalt of Troy, MO; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Visitation was held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 5, 2003 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South Fifth Street, Elsberry, MO 63343.