Obituary of Hazel M. Patton

Hazel M. Patton, 85, of State College, died Friday, November 20, 2015, at Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College. Born January 1, 1930, in Knoxville, TN, she was the daughter of the late Charles A. and Mayde Driskill Murray. On May 11, 1963, in Madison, WI, she married William H. (Bill) Patton II, who preceded her in death on January 5, 1997. She is survived by two sons, William H. Patton III and his wife, Mary Isenhour, of Harrisburg and Matthew M. Patton and his wife Svetlana Rodionova, of State College; and one granddaughter, Nastia Rodionova of White Plains, NY. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Wilma Jean Murray and her brother, Charles Allen Murray. Hazel was a graduate of Oak Ridge High School, Tennessee and she received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from the University of Tennessee. For several years in the 1950s, Hazel taught high school English at schools in Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia. In the late 1950s she began post-graduate study in American Literature at the University of Wisconsin. Upon her marriage in 1963, Hazel and Bill moved to State College. She was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, State College, and was active for many years in the church’s Altar Guild. Beginning in 1982 Hazel was the original Coordinator of the Food Bank of the Christian Mission, now known as the State College Food Bank. In recent years, she enjoyed lunches with the Veterinary Wives Club in State College as well as attending local music performances featuring her son and daughter-in-law. When asked this year to name her proudest accomplishment, she said it was her family. Visitation will be from 4 until 6 p.m., on Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, November 25, 2015, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 208 W. Foster Ave, State College, with the Reverend Doug Dailey officiating. Burial will be in Pine Hall Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the State College Food Bank, 1321 S. Atherton St, State College, PA 16801 or to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 208 W. Foster Ave, State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.