Leon L. Patten Sr.

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. -- Leon L. Patten Sr., 85, died March 31, 2009, at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock after a sudden illness.

He was born in Milford, N.H. to Orion and Bernice Patten.

A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was in construction most of his life and moved to Henderson County in the early 1980s. He owned and operated an antique boutique in Chimney Rock and was actively involved in community functions. He was a member of the Chimney Rock Fire Department for many years.

Mr. Patten enjoyed helping people, gardening, woodworking and caring for all animals. He remained active in his later years, even riding horses up until two years ago.

He was predeceased by wife Edith Patten, who died in December 2006, and by sons James Patten and Leon Patten Jr.

Family includes daughter Terri Charron of Groveton, N.H.; foster son Joe Bills of Wilton; three adopted children, Sarah Stermer of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Cliff Patten of Kingsport,Tenn., and Bill Patten of Groveton; three stepdaughters, Wendy Peterson of Manchester, N.H.; Marcia Lloyd of Merrimack, N.H., and Sandy Frost of Concord, N.H.; a stepson, Jeffrey Strong of Nashua, N.H.; siblings Penny Thomas of Boscawen, Freeman Patten of Merrimack, N.H., Freda Patten of Sterling, Mass., Carl Patten of Enfield, N.H., Harold Patten of Hardwick, Vt., Edward Patten of Claude, Texas, Roland Patten of Peterborough, N.H., Evelyn Smith of Shirley, Mass., Mona Tuttle of Bedford, Va., Shirley Rafter of Wilton, N.H., Eva De Souza of Bridgewater, Mass.; and Ruth Kelly of Andover, N.H.; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

SERVICES: A memorial service was held Thursday, April 2, at the Church of the Transfiguration in Bat Cave, N.C. A graveside service will be held April 24 at 2 p.m. in New Hampshire Veteran's Cemetery in Boscowan.

Memorial donations may be made to Four Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731. For more information, go to www.shulerfuneralhome.com or to www.armstrongcharronfuneralhome.com. Shuler Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.