Patricia 'Pat' L. Breshears

OBITUARY PATRICIA L. BRESHEARS Pat Breshears, age 81, of Halfway, Missouri passed away Friday, March 16, 2007 in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born April 16, 1925 in Mexico, Missouri, the second daughter and third child of Robert William and Hetty Gowin Love. At Birth, Pat was given only one name, Madalene. Upon entering school, she told her father that she wanted two names like most of the other children. He told her to choose one. She chose Patricia and became Patricia Madalene Love. She loved the name "Patricia" and helped name a niece and her first daughter Patricia. Pat grew up in the Audrain/Callaway/Montgomery county area. She graduated from Bellflower High School. She decided to follow in her mother's footsteps and became a teacher. At Southwest Baptist College she earned her Associates degree, then later a Bachelor's degree. She also completed her certification as a reading specialist. She taught school first at Fairview School in rural Montgomery County, then she taught seven years at Macks Creek and the last thirteen years at Halfway before retiring. Teaching was her family business. Three of her children, both of her daughter-in-laws and two of her granddaughters are teachers. As World War II was beginning Pat went to St. Louis to work. She worked in the defense plant of McQuary-North where they made ammunition for the government. She was awarded an "I" Medal for her service there. While attending college and on a blind date, she met a veteran just back from overseas, Glen Breshears. She married him on October 5, 1946. This past fall they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They lived most of the first year of marriage in Montgomery County, then moved back to Polk County and bought a farm, where they still live. The house had no electricity when they bought it. There was a power failure there the night she passed away. They had five children; Patty, Randy, Jane, and twins Terry and Kerry. The saddest day of their marriage came in February of 1954 when they lost Kerry to pneumonia. Pat took Jesus as her savior as a young woman. She joined the Goodson Baptist Church shortly after her marriage and was still a member there at her death. Pat's sister, Esther, lost her husband in 1961. She and her four children; Vicki, Joe, Jackie and John, came to Polk County to live with Glen and Pat's family. A special bond was forged between the two families with Pat and Glen feeling as if they now had 8 children. These bonds are still felt today. Coming from a large extended family herself, Pat always loved kids. Together Pat and Glen had sixty-six nieces and nephews. Pat would always remember each of their birthdays and mention it to Glen on that day. She was a stay at home Mom while her children were growing up. She was a 4-H Leader. There were always kids in and out of their home, the nieces and nephews, friends of her children and neighborhood children. She had a special love for all her students and treasured memories of all. She was a kid at heart. At age 75, you could often find her under the kitchen table playing with her great-granddaughters. Pat had a unique whistle and when kids heard it, they knew to come. Growing up during the depression, Pat had a strong work ethic, appreciated all the educational and work opportunities she had. Her children always knew that a college education was expected. Anytime her children or grandchildren grumbled about work, her reply was "Be glad you've got a job." Pat was a strong lady. She returned to college when her youngest was a freshman in high school. She did it all, went to school, did substitute teaching, dealt with her four teenagers, helped Glen on the farm and put meals on the table and still had time for her love of reading and attending ballgames. She always reminded her family when they were leaving-Remember you must love each other and take care of each other. Preceding her in death were her parents, one of her twin sons; Kerry Glen, two brothers; Frank McCubbin Love and David Love, two sisters; Ella Cobb and Myrtlenell Hawkins. Surviving are her devoted husband; Glen of the home, four children and their spouses; Patty & Gary Warren of Wheatland, MO., Randy & Janice Breshears of Halfway, MO., Jane & Frank Stoner of Laguna Hills, CA., Terry & Tina Breshears of Unionville, TN. 9 Grandchildren and their spouses; Suzanne & Stan Mayfield of Bolivar, MO., Todd Warren of Bolivar, MO., Lynn & Adam Quennoz of Halfway, MO., Brent Breshears of Eldon, MO., Ashley Stoner of Los Angeles, CA., Alison Stoner of Anaheim Hills, CA., Jeffrey Stoner of Mukilleo, WA., Valerie Breshears of St. Louis, MO., and Kerry Breshears of Unionville, TN. Four Great-Granddaughters; Maddison Thrasher, Brooke Mayfield, Miranda Quennoz, Isabella Mayfield. Four Sisters and Brothers with their spouses; Robert & Margaret Love of Benton City, MO., Esther Kimbley of High Hill, MO., Barbara & Hans Neumann of Mexico, MO., and John & Bonnie Love of High Hill, MO. 32 Nieces and Nephews and a wealth of family and friends. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 AM, Friday, March 23, 2007 at Butler Funeral Home Chapel, Bolivar, Missouri with Bro. Jack Brakebill and Bro. Dan Breshears officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery in Polk, Missouri under the direction of Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. Music will be "Precious Memories" and "The Old Rugged Cross" being sung by the Goodson Missionary Baptist Church Choir with Leroy Simpson as songleader. The congregation will be singing "Amazing Grace". Anita Ellis will be the pianist. Pallbearers will be Stan Mayfield, Todd Warren, Adam Quennoz, Brent Breshears, Jeffrey Stoner and Kerry Breshears. Visitation will be from 6-7 PM Thursday, March 22, 2007 at the funeral home. Friends may sign the quest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Patricia 'Pat' L. Breshears

April 16, 1925 - March 16, 2007