Patrick Eli Fuller

Patrick Eli Fuller

Patrick Eli Fuller, age 70, of Ridgeway, our beloved husband, and father, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2025, after a courageous battle with MDS. Our hearts are broken and left with a hole that will never be filled. Patrick was born on February 24, 1954, to Sam and Irene Fuller in Rossford, Ohio. He was the eldest of nine children. Pat chose to attend St. Francis de Sales High School, for which he paid his own tuition and graduated in 1972. At the age of 18, Pat enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1973 to 1986. As an infantry soldier, he served as team leader, squad leader, infantry instructor, and platoon sergeant.

In 1978, Pat met his wife, Cheryl, while in Toledo finishing his bachelor's degree in history as a requirement for officer candidacy. Pat has had a lifelong love of history, particularly military history, and had knowledge of battle details beyond belief. He later when on to complete his MBA graduate degree.

In August of 1981 Cheryl and Pat married and were subsequently stationed at Camp LeJuene, North Carolina, where their son Samuel John was born in 1982. Pat had unbridled devotion to the military and his country and performed every deployment with reverence and skill. As a Marine Officer, Pat held the positions of Platoon Commander, Company Commander, and Assistant Operations Officer in 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division; and later a Course Team Director of the Amphibious Reconnaissance School, Naval Amphibious Base.

In 1986, Pat transferred to the Army and served as Battalion S4 and Company Commander, Parachute Infantry Regime, 82nd Airborne Division. Then he served as Company Commander, then later, Commandant of the Advanced Airborne School. In 1991 in Desert Storm, Pat served as Company Commander of the Long-Range Surveillance Company, XVIII Airborne Corps. He retired as Battalion Executive Officer, 6th Infantry Division.

His military educations include Command and General Staff College, Combined Service Support School, Scout Sniper School, Ranger School, Jumpmaster School, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Landing Force Fire Support Coordinator Course, Naval Gunfire Spotter Course, Submarine Escape Trunk Operations Course, Special Forces Underwater Operations Course, Pathfinder Course, Amphibious Reconnaissance Course, Survival Escape Resistance Evasion Course, USMC Infantry Officer Course, Airborne Course, USMC Advanced Leadership Course, Jungle Survival School, Mountain Warfare Training, and Infantry Training Course.

Selected as Lt. Colonel, Pat decided to retire from the military in 1997. Over his 25 year career in the military, he has commanded hundreds of troops, always winning the highest respect and devotion from the men and women he commanded. Many of his troops kept in touch with him over the years. His awards include Meritorious Service Medal (Two Awards), Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Expedition Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (Two Awards), Navy Unit Commendation, Army Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbons (Two Awards), Southwest Asia Service Medal (Three Awards) Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Ranger Tab, Combat Diver Badge, Marine Corps Expert Rifle Badge (12 Years), Marine Corps Expert Pistol Badge (5 years), Bronze Rifle Medal (Competitive Shooting), Israeli Parachute Badge, Australian Parachute Badge, German Parachute Badge, Holland M. Smith Award, NRA Master High Power Rifle.

After Pat's retirement from the military, Pat and Cheryl relocated to Platteville, Wisconsin. Pat was elected as Chief Clerk of the Wisconsin Assembly, and served a total of 10 legislative sessions under both Republican and Democratic speakers while Cheryl became a tenured professor at the University of Wisconsin. Pat was well respected by many Wisconsin elected officials over the years and was responsible for the procedures and smooth running of the assembly including introduction of and voting on bills of importance to the people of Wisconsin. He was sought out by many employees of the state of Wisconsin for assistance with state government procedures and issues.

Pat and Cheryl were active and respected in the Ridgeway Community and belonged to St. Joseph Parish, which they strongly supported and loved.

Pat leaves behind his beloved Cheryl, who he would not and could not live life without; his son, Samuel John Fuller, also an Army veteran who retired after 21 years of dedicated service; and grandson, Nikoli Fuller.

Survivors include his brothers, Mark, Mathew (Candace), Eric, and William; his sisters, Jan (Chris) Elwing, Marlene (Billy) Evans, and Caroline (Tim) Fritz.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Irene; sister, Nanette; and daughter-in-law, Lauren.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Dodgeville. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass, on Wednesday, at the church. Interment will be held in St. Joseph's Cemetery, in Dodgeville, with Military Graveside Rites Accorded by Darlington American Legion.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Joseph School Trust Fund, 305 E. Walnut Street, Dodgeville, WI 53533.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Patrick later this spring or early summer in Toledo, OH.