Willis Leo Patton

Willis Leo Patton was born November 21, 1927 in Goodland, KS to Carl and Edith Patton. He went to his heavenly homecoming on December 22, 2010 in Avon, IN, where he lived for the past 3 yrs.

Mr. Patton attended several schools in Kansas. He entered the Army in 1946, taking his basic training in Ft. McCellan, Alabama. After basic training, Mr. Patton was stationed in Camp Stoneman, CA and then served in Korea. After being discharged from the Army, he spent 3 years in the Reserves.

Mr. Patton married Sylvia Beckner on April 5, 1947 at her parent's home in Goodland, Ks. Willis and Sylvia enjoyed 56 years of marriage before Sylvia went to her homecoming on April 27, 2003. They made their home in Topeka for approximately 40 years.

Mr. Patton became a printer and worked in the trade for 45 years, working the last 24 years at the Topeka Capitol-Journal. He belonged to the Printer's Section of the Communications' Workers of America.

Survivors include two daughters, Sherlyn K. Bender (Charles) of Avon, IN and Lynda S. Belanger-Jamrozek (Tom) of Topeka, four grandchildren, Brian Bender of WI, Caron Blair (Chris) of Avon, IN., Jennifer Burenheide (Jeff) and Jason Belanger, both of Topeka. Mr. Patton has six- great-grandchildren, Brett Bender, Matthew Thornton, Meghan Burenheide, Layne Belanger, and Jonah and Jamison Blair. Mr. Patton is also survived by his brother, Raymond (Lola) of Hutchinson, KS and sisters, Ruby Keith of Ohio, Iris Orender of Pittsburg, KS and Inez DePlata of Goodland, KS as well a host of nieces and nephews. Mr. Patton was preceded in death by brothers Fred and Wallace and sisters, Margaret and Mildred.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at the Penwell-Gabel Parker-Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence Ave, Topeka, KS 66608. Military honors and interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Gardens, Topeka. Mr. Patton will lie in state after 3 p.m., Monday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 -7:30 p.m., Monday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Diabetes Foundation or the National Parkinson Foundation.