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Patty Davis

November 26, 1939 - December 4, 2017
Kendallville, IN

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Life Story / Obituary


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With a natural feistiness that insisted on embracing each moment fully, Patty Davis lived a life rich in family and friends. Generous and kind, Patty never knew a stranger, and her heart was always open to others. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Patty treasured her family whom she dedicated each of her days to caring for. With faith and laughter, Patty trusted her capacity to endure life’s difficulties and bless each joy equally. An inspiration to all, Patty will be deeply missed by many.

Despite the obvious gloom of the growing conflict in Europe, 1939 held much to celebrate, including the end of the Great Depression, the premieres of the classic film Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz, regular television begin to broadcast nationwide, and The World’s Fair in New York. As the US actively armed for war, families continued to center their lives in love and hope for a brighter future. Nowhere was that hope more evident than in Avilla, Indiana as Howard Wesley Miller and Rosetta Pearl (Weaver) Miller welcomed their youngest child, Patty to their family on November 26th.

From the start, Patty enjoyed the privileges that came with being the youngest child. Growing up in Avilla, she was a proud TomBoy who also knew how to get her way. While still quite young, she begged her older sister, Rosie, to take her to school with her. When Patty’s insistent begging grew intolerable, Rosie gave in and walked Patty through the big muddy field to the schoolhouse. Promptly upon arriving at the school, Patty turned on the tears and demanded to be taken home. Begrudgingly, Rosie marched her back home. Their brother Ron did his best to toughen his sisters up. Once when he found a dead pregnant snake in the road, he grabbed as many baby snakes as he could, and chased his sisters around the house waving his fists full of snakes at them.

Patty’s enthusiasm for life was evident in her perpetual smile, infectious laugh, and natural ability to find the gold in every moment. She effortlessly encouraged others and put her talents to good use as a cheerleader for Avilla High School during her teen years.

While attending a party in Fort Wayne, Patty had the good fortune of meeting the love of her life, Morrie Davis. The two dated for a time and realized their hearts were destined for one another. After, graduating from high school in 1957, the happy couple married on June 7, 1958, in the comforts of their family and friends in Avilla.

Patty and Morrie worked hard to create a loving home for their four treasured children. They owned and operated R&D Paint Supply in Kendallville for ten years. Patty also was employed as a bookkeeper and store clerk for about ten years with Kirby Risk in Kendallville. Patty relished in motherhood, as well as caring for anyone in need. She created a loving home that welcomed everyone and where no one ever left hungry. With a refrigerator stocked full of food and beverages, and her famous Patty Dogs often on the menu, Patty loved to cook and entertain and was always ready for company.

There was sure to be laughter wherever Patty went. She was a gregarious woman who knew how to have a good time. Whether vacationing with her kids and grandkids, traveling with her girlfriends, exploring Traverse City, North Carolina, and Maine, or playing Pinochle with her group of girls, Patty was always smiling and encouraging others’ good time.

While she enjoyed a good smut book and often had a stack of Harlequin Romances at her fingertips, Patty’s greatest joy came in watching her children and grandchildren chase their dreams. Whether succeeding or struggling, Patty’s children and grandchildren always had her support. Her undauntable faith in their greatness was pure heart fuel. Holidays were brighter for the light Patty exuded. She loved to decorate the tree with her forever friend and sidekick Linda, surprising the grandchildren with presents and fun tricks at Christmas, and Halloween parties. Watching the Chicago Bears was always better with Patty’s cheers, and no one enjoyed a Bud Light more fully than Patty.

A powerful matriarch, Patty was truly the heart of her family. She loved unconditionally, insisted on everyone’s best, and kept her family in line. She encouraged those she loved to “Just take it one day at a time” and to “Lead a big life” not only with her words but also with her example. In a language all her own, Patty embraced each day. Even in the face of life's greatest challenges that included the deaths of two of her children, her husband, and two grandchildren, Patty consciously chose to live a vibrant life. She was grateful for her blessings, trusted her capacity to endure, and found countless ways to make other's lives better.

Without a doubt, the world feels significantly duller in the sudden absence of Patty’s steadfast and bright spirit. May there be comfort in knowing that Patty’s legacy of strength, generosity, and love lives on in the hearts and lives of those who were blessed to know her; and that she would want nothing more than for her loved ones to continue to have the great lives she worked so hard to help them create. With each infectious laugh shared, delicious Patty Dog indulged, Bears game watched, stranger welcomed, and Bud Light enjoyed, we celebrate Patty and keep her light shining in each of our lives.

Patricia Ann “Patty” Davis, age 78, died unexpectedly on Monday, December 4, 2017, in the emergency room at Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville. Patty was born on November 26, 1939, in Avilla, Indiana to the late Howard Wesley Miller and Rosetta Pearl (Weaver) Miller. She graduated from Avilla High School in 1957 and was married to Morris McCoy “Morrie” Davis on June 7, 1958, in Avilla. Morrie preceded her in death on November 14, 2005.

Survivors include Daughter, Kim and Doug Treesh of Kendallville. Son-in-law, Dave and Jenny Riecke of Avilla.Seven grandchildren including Grandson, Josh and Summer Treesh of Kendallville.Grandson, Brock and Nicole Treesh of Kendallville Granddaughter, Lindsay and Joshua McKinney of Kendallville.Granddaughter, Chelsea Riecke of Avilla.Grandson, Lucas Riecke of Avilla.Grandson, Zakk and Kelsey Howell of Kendallville.Grandson, Quinton and Caitlyn Howell of Kendallville.Six great-grandchildren; Caden Treesh and Mason Treesh, Reece Bradley, Ellie McKinney, Arianna Howell, and Kailey Howell. Sister, Rosalyn and Paul DeHoff of North Tarrytown, New York.Sister-in-law, Louise Davis Evans and John Evans of Oneonta, Alabama.Along with her parents and husband, Morrie, she was also preceded in death by her son, Ron M. Davis in 1974; grandson, Travis Riecke in 1992; her daughter, Tammi L. Riecke in 1998; a granddaughter, Courtney Treesh; and her brother, Ron Miller.

Visitation will be Thursday from 3:00 - 8:00 PM at Hite Funeral Home, Kendallville.Funeral services will be held Friday, December 8, 2017, at 11:00 AM at Hite Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Albaugh officiating the service.Honorary pallbearers are the pinochle club ladies including Shirley Crist, Carol Platt, Bonnie Falls, Alana Sibert, Nancy Shellenbarger, Rhonda Charles Burtch, and Judy Haney.Memorial donations may be made to the Tammi Riecke Memorial Scholarship or Baker Hall at the Mid-America Windmill Museum. Share a memory or send a condolence athitefuneralhome.comArrangements entrusted to Hite Funeral Home of Kendallville.

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