Frances Patten

Frances Patten, age 88 years of Niles, Michigan died on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at Silverbrook Nursing Home in Niles following a brief illness. She was born September 6, 1925 in Barwick, Brooks County, Georgia to Daniel Anderson & Alma Florence (Melton) Barden.

During World War II, Frances worked on a Navy Base in Florida as a switchboard operator. It was there she met her future husband Joseph Donald “Don” Patten and they were wed in a private ceremony before the Justice of the Peace in Folkston, Georgia on January 26, 1946. On March 13, 1946, Frances and Don gathered with their families for a traditional wedding in the church. The second wedding was held in the church because Frances did not dare tell her mother that she was married outside of the church just months before, privately.

Frances was a pattern folder and trainer at Simplicity Pattern Company in Niles. Frances and husband Don owned and managed the D&F Ceramic Studio in Niles where many residents of Niles went for weekly classes to learn painting and glazing techniques from Frances. Frances was known for huge family meals with a minimum of 10 courses. When younger she loved fishing. She also loved decorating the house and re-arranging furniture, even after her stroke in 1997. After her stroke she still managed to wallpaper the house, frequently rearrange furniture, and cook huge family meals.

Frances is survived by her husband Don Patten of Niles, son Kenneth B. (& wife Darlene) Patten of Kentwood, Michigan, granddaughter, Maria R. Meyer of Marshfield, Wisconsin, grandsons, Michael T. Patten of Grand Rapids and Nicolas A. Patten of Wyoming, Michigan, great grandchildren Anika E. Herheim, Carter K. Herheim, Jorie Meyer, and Hallie Meyer. Also surviving are siblings Katherine Willis of Chamblee, Georgia, Dorothy J. Leighty of Merritt Island, Florida, Doris J. Faulk of Dry Branch, GA and Betty J. Barden of Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Frances was preceded in death by sisters, Mazie Novack and Clara Nell Melvin and brothers, Ralph A. Barden, Billy Z. Barden, and infant brother Donald R. Barden.

A Memorial Service for Frances Patten will be held at 1:00p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2013 at the Halbritter Funeral Home with Rev. Cathi Huvaere of Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles officiating.

Donations in memory of Frances may be made to the organization of choice.