The earthly journey of our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many ended on Thursday, February 5, 2009. Her journey began April 8, 1938, as the daughter of William and Eunice (Donelson) Johnson. Patricia's life had many peaks and valleys, and her greatest pride was in her children. She was a homemaker, but still found time to be active outside her home. She was president of the Goldie King School PTA. When the school had a fire, she spearheaded a group of mothers like herself to put on borrowed fireman's boots and salvage and clean as many books as they could. She served a four-year term as secretary of the Lake Station Democrat Precinct Organization, was chairperson in Lake Station for Adam Benjamin in his successful bid for Congress, and was thrilled to be invited to Washington D.C. for his swearing in. Perhaps the most fun thing to her, was when she was appointed Co-Chairman of the Lake Station Bicentennial Commission. Patricia was a very good seamstress, and soon had her whole family as well as friends, dressed in clothes of that era, participating in all sorts of events. Patricia served as president of the Hobart Township/Lake Ridge Community Services Corporation for 14 years. During the tenure of that office, she was honored to be selected as Indiana's Outstanding Senior Volunteer for Area I Aging Council, which was comprised of a six county area. She was presented a plaque by the late governor, Frank O'Bannon at the Governor's Conference on Aging. Patricia was elected the first woman president of the Lake Station Chamber of Commerce. She was a founding member of V.F.W. 9323 Auxiliary, a life member of American Legion Post 100 Auxiliary, was active in her church where she served as secretary of the P.T.O., President of the Ladies Adoration Society, and was a parish committee member. She truly rejoiced in being around and helping people.

Patricia is survived by sons: William (Gail) Parker of Oklahoma, Thomas (Sevrina) Parker of Trinity, N.C., David Pitts of Lake Station, Michael Kadish of Hobart; daughters: Lorelei (Mark) Lukawski of Gary, Cynthia (Timothy) Mandeville of Rensselaer, Tamara (Paul) Runyan of Crown Point, Mary (Gregory) Fleming of Crown Point, Karla (Bill) Johnson of Jacksonville, FL; sister, Karen Jordan of Aurora, Colorado; brother, Anthony (Portia) Jakovac of Phoenix, Arizona; fourteen grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Eunice; son Jeffrey Parker; brothers: Charles Johnson, William Johnson, and husbands, William Parker, Willis Pitts, Wallace Kadish.

Friends may call at Pruzin Brothers Funeral Service, 2700 Willowcreek Road, Portage, Tuesday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a V.F.W. Auxiliary service at 7:00 P.M. and Legion Auxiliary service at 7:15 P.M. Funeral service will be Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. from Pruzin Brothers Chapel with Pastor Darrell Schultz officiating. At rest Calvary Cemetery, Portage.