Rev. Robert B. Patton, 97, of Connellsville, passed away at 8:50 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, at his residence. Rev. Patton was born Aug. 10, 1920, in Altoona, a son of the late James and Enid Gladys (Leader) Patton. He married the former Alma Arlene Prinkey Sept. 20, 1947. Rev. Patton was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and minister. He served a ministry for more than 60 years at Lamberton Union Church, Everson and Mt. Olive Evangelical Churches, Holsopple, Greensburg and Rochester-Juneau Evangelical United Brethren churches. Rev. Patton also was a former District Superintendent for the Evangelical Churches of North America. A graduate of Altoona High School, class of 1940, he also received his bachelor's and master degrees at Indiana State College and was a graduate of the Pittsburgh United Presbyterian Seminary. A veteran of World War II, he served as a master sergeant in the Army Air Corps, which included a tour in Italy. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and four bronze stars, each star represented five missions his plane flew over enemy territory with him as crew chief of mechanics. Rev. Patton was a member of Mt. Olive Evangelical Church and enjoyed reading the Bible and traveling. His ministry was noted by his loyalty in his preaching and visiting to those in need. Rev. Patton will be sadly missed by his loving family; his wife of 70 years, Alma Arlene (Prinkey) Patton; his five children, James C. Patton and his wife, Linda, of Somerset, Va., P. Hodge and her husband, John, of Connellsville, Barbara A. Patton, of Connellsville, (whose fiance, Jim Dugger, passed away Feb. 25, 2017), Patricia A. Burkhart and her husband, David, of Dawson, and Kevin S. Patton and his wife, Victoria, of Monroeville; his grandchildren, Michelle Keslar (Chris), Michael Hodge (Tabetha), John R. Patton (Morgan), Sarah Plant (Christopher), Andrew Burkhart, Gloria Gallagher (Shawn) and Tricia Urias (Brian); his great-grandchildren, Alex, Courtney, Brooke, Danielle, Jesse, Rebekah, Samuel, Aras, Dylan and Megan; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings and their spouses, Tom and Dorothy Patton, Gladys and Merle Cowher and Jen and Ken Beasom.
Personalized arrangements are under the professional supervision of the ROBERT B. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME, 105 Spring St., Scottdale (724-887-5300/www.fergusonfunerals.com/GPS: N40 degrees 06.136, W79 degrees 35.278). Family and friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel. Additional viewing will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday in Mt. Olive Evangelical Church, Route 982, Connellsville, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. Lee Maley officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Olive Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Mt. Olive Evangelical Church. Love lasts forever!