Joseph Patterson

Joseph Patterson, 82, of Meadville, died Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at the Golden Living Center – Meadville.

He was born June 2, 1926 in Titusville, the son of Margaret Patterson Hogan.  He married Mary Elizabeth Graff July 18, 1953 in Meadville and she survives.

He was educated in the Erie, Allentown and Meadville schools and was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Navy from 1948-1952.  He retired in 1989 from the Crawford Central School District after 28 years of service.

He was an American Red Cross blood donor.  Often he would get called in the middle of the night to donate blood and he would go without hesitation.  He was a member of Stone United Methodist Church, its Men’s Bible Class and he was a volunteer at the Soup Kitchen.  He was a member of Charles Stafford American Legion Post #111, was very active at the Meadville Senior Center, a member of the Tapping Tootsies and was a volunteer at Active Aging.

While in the Navy he began his lifelong hobby of collecting military insignia patches. His collection would often be displayed publicly on Veteran's Day.  By displaying his collection he proudly wanted people to remember what our country and the military went through.

Survivors, in addition to his wife Mary of 55 years, include: a daughter Sharron Raczynski and her husband Paul of Auburn, Maine, a daughter Brenda Patterson of Meadville and her companion Curtis Stallard of Erie; two grandchildren, Mark Joseph Raczynski and Rachel Raczynski both of Auburn, Maine; an aunt, Clara Brown of Water ford and also cousins.  He enjoyed a trip to Maine where he happily saw his grandson, Mark, graduate from high school and run in the high school state track meet in June 2008.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a half brother, Ralph Hogan.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville, with an American Legion Service at 6 p.m.

The funeral service will be Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main Street, Meadville.

Burial with military honors provided by Huidekoper VFW Post #2006 will be in Greendale Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be made to Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335.