Opal Patten

Opal Lear Patten, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

She was born June 30, 1915, in Laflin, Mo., daughter of Elijah Biven and Etta Mae Huffman Lear. She and Earl J. Patten were married in Cape Girardeau. He preceded her in death on March 30, 1989.

She graduated from high school in Laflin and received an associate degree from William Patterson College in New Jersey. She had worked at Oak Ridge, Tenn., during World War II.

After getting married, she and her husband moved to New Jersey, but she continued to maintain a residence in Cape Girardeau. In 1996, she moved back to Cape Girardeau.

She was a longtime member of Packanack Community Church in New Jersey. She was very active performing volunteer work and devoted much time to the Foundation for the Handicapped. In addition, she was an avid painter, having won many prizes in amateur contests, and an avid gardener.

She is survived by two sons, Christopher J. Patten of Scituate, Mass., Charles B. Patten of Wrentham, Mass., and a sister, Jewel Martin of Cape Girardeau.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at the funeral home, with the Rev. Vyron Yount officiating. Interment will be in Lorimier Cemetery at Cape Girardeau.