Earl A. Patchin

Earl A. Patchin passed away Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009, at NHC in Joplin, Mo., where he had resided for the past few months. Earl was born Jan. 9, 1923, to the late Clarence D. and Nora Elizabeth (Fuller) Patchin, of Joplin. Earl graduated from Joplin High School 1941. On May 19, 1949, Earl was united in marriage to Mary Ella Bowman, who passed away 1987. To this union three sons were born, Steve Patchin, Rex Patchin and Jack Patchin. He joined the Army in 1943. He served in World War II as a paratrooper part of the 101st Airborne Division. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After being honorably discharged in 1945, he returned home and began working for the Joplin Fire Department and joined the United States Postal Service in the Joplin office shortly thereafter. He worked there and at the Seneca Post Office for the next 34 years. He retired in 1978, from being postmaster in Seneca, Mo. He enjoyed coaching his sons' baseball teams, Farm Club, Little League and Babe Ruth. He also enjoyed being an umpire for local baseball games and judging local Golden Gloves boxing tournaments. Earl and Mary were proprietors of the Rollerama skating rink in Joplin. Many local youth enjoyed skating and attending sock-hops through the 1960s and early 1970s. On Oct. 3, 1987, Earl was united in marriage to Audrey Sue Marshall. Earl was a member of the Joplin Elk's Lodge, the Lion's Club, American Legion post 13, Disabled American Veterans, the V. F. W., National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. For the past 22 years he and Audrey have been active members of the St. Phillips Episcopal Church in Joplin. In addition to his parents, Earl was preceded in death by his brothers, Bill Patchin and Ed Patchin; and son, Jack Patchin. Earl is survived by wife, Audrey Patchin, Joplin; sons, Steven Earl Patchin, of Evansville, Ind., and Rex Kent Patchin and Cheri Huckstep, of Webb City, Mo.; grandchildren, Nikki Patchin Head and her husband, Tim, Oronogo, Mo., Kaleb Patchin, Dallas, Texas, Heath Patchin, Seth Patchin and Tyler Patchin all of Evansville. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28, at St. Philip's Episcopal Church with visitation following at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Phillip's Church or the Purple Heart Association in care of Parker Mortuary. Private interment of cremains will be held at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Parker Mortuary. Online condolences may be made at Parkermortuary.com