Patricia Wolfinbarger

Patricia Wolfinbarger, 95, passed away Friday, June 25, 2021. Born Patricia Ruth Kathleen Ryan on January 19, 1926, in Chicago, iL., she loved being creative and artistic with everything she did. She was known for her efficient and artistic touch in maintaining a home, children, and the delicious desserts she enjoyed making. She read whenever she could and spent many years managing The Book Emporium in Champaign, IL., and later the Lafayette Galleries in Lexington, Ky. She also partnered with her daughter, Jackie, in making and selling beautiful Christmas décor. Pat was known for being sociable, quick witted, and she loved a good joke. People usually remarked that they loved the twinkle in her eye that, more often than not, turned strangers into friends. She loved to travel and meet people and was a brilliant conversationalist. Being the wordsmith she was, she could easily beat anyone in a game of Scrabble.

Due to the quick and unexpected death of her first husband, Arthur (Bud) Maplethorpe Jr. in 1948, Pat and her two children continued to make their home in Antioch, IL. Later she met and married the late Carl A. Wolfinbarger and together they built a vibrant family, adding two more children in Powers Lake, Wis and later in Champaign, IL. Pat was the loving mother of the late Arthur (Kathy) Wolfinbarger, Carol (Edward) Zack, Jacqueline (the late Tim) Schweighart, Kirk (Merrilyn) Wolfinbarger and the loving family members of Sue (Gary) Allen and (the lates) William and Dorothy Wolfinbarger, with their children and grandchildren. Pat was also the cherished grandmother of Joyce Bruett, Ryan Wolfinbarger, Kristen Wolfinbarger, Kathryn Busch, Chad Schweighart, Kelley Schweighart, Lindsay Roberts, Aaron Wolfinbarger, Kyle Wolfinbarger, Derek Wolfinbarger, and Max Wolfinbarger. Proud and elated defines her as she told everyone that she attended at least 43 graduations for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a greatgrandma to more than 11 children who loved and cherished her tea parties.

Preceded in death by her parents Nicholas and Lydia (nee Gradt) Ryan, Pat was the eldest of four siblings. She was the kind sister of Irene (Robert) Gross, the late Mary (the late Herman) Hess, and Nicholas (Mary) Ryan. All who knew her, loved her. She will be missed.

A memorial visitation will be from 11:00a.m. until time of service 1:00p.m., Saturday, July 3, 2021, at the Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory, 95 S. Gilbert St. (at State St.), South Elgin. Cremation was private at the Countryside Crematory. Burial of cremated remains will take place in Carterville, IL., at a later date.