ORVAL PATTERSON

ESSEX -- Orval B. Patterson, 76, of Essex died Wednesday, Jan. 21, 1998, at Dexter Memorial Hospital in Dexter.

He was born Aug. 18, 1921, in Rector, Ark., son of John Wesley and Irene Howe Patterson. He and Mildred Warthen were married July 16, 1941, at Bloomfield.

Patterson retired from farming and then worked at Swift and Co. 12 years. He had lived at Essex most of his life.

Survivors include his wife; five sons, Robert Patterson of Memphis, Tenn., Larry Patterson of Wichita, Kan., Wayne Patterson of Chaffee, Roger Patterson of Sikeston, Ron Patterson of Eureka; three daughters, Colleen Unger of Sikeston, Christine Ryman and Carolyn Hopkins of Dexter.

Also surviving are three brothers, Don Patterson of Dexter, Gene Patterson of Kalkaska, Mich., Paul Patterson of Flint, Mich.; two sisters, Eutha Bradshaw of North Augusta, S.C., Pat Samuelson of Flint; 22 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter from 5-8 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bob Wiggins officiating. Burial will be in Essex Cemetery.