Updated Obituary - Farrell E. "Gene" Patton

Farrell E. "Gene" Patton

Farrell E. "Gene" Patton, age 90, rural Hume, Missouri passed away on Monday December 26, 2016 at his home surrounded by his two favorite girls, wife Bonnie and daughter Donieta. He was born on December 29, 1925 to William and Kelly and Opal Truelove Patton in Phillipsburg, Missouri. Gene was one of five children, graduated from Phillipsburg High School on may 19, 1944. 

The following day found him bound for boot camp in Oklahoma as he was drafted for the war efforts while still in high school. Gene served in the Black Hawk Division under General George Patton and faced the Battle of the Bulge in the European Theatre, 1944-45. 

The next year, his service continued in Battery C 331st Field Artillery in the Black Hawk campaign in the Philippine''s Luzon battle. Upon his return to Missouri and civilian life, Gene quickly married the love of his life Bonnie Eilenstein. After teaching for one year in the Lebanon school district, Gene found his passion in the grocery business, becoming the youngest manager of a Krogers. This field eventually led to many years as a sales manager for the A. Reich Produce Company. At times, he worked as a real estate agent in the south Kansas City area. Gene''s life was filled with blessings. His two children, three grandchildren, and four great grandchildren top the list. That list of blessings also included his association with and membership in the Masonic Rising Sun Lodge #8 of Fulton and Fort Scott, Kansas, the Hume Lions Club as a charter member, and the West Liberty United Methodist Church. In turn, Gene blessed many other lives with his rich bass singing, his guitar playing and his playful nature. 

Retirement brought out the farmer in Gene as he loved his home, his land and his cattle. Gene is survived by his wife, Bonnie, one son, Gary Patton and wife Twyla, one daughter, Donieta Davis and husband Jerold, a sister, Lorita Jones, three grandchildren: Angila Gitting, Gregory Patton and Todd Dalzele, and four great grandchildren: Riley Patton, Ashley Gitting, Rachel Patton and Ryan Gitting. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.

Funeral service will be held 1:30 pm Friday, December 30, 2016 at the West Liberty United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Underwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1 pm to service time at the church. The family suggest contributions to West Liberty United Methodist Church or Heartland Hospice. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Pleasanton Chapel.