Patricia Ruth Vestuto

Patricia R. Vestuto, age 85, of Bloomington, died Tuesday at Autumn Hills Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Bloomington, IN. She was born on June 17, 1932 in Macon, Illinois to John “Bud” and Mary (Conner)Payne. She graduated from Macon High School and attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, where she studied art, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art History, with a minor in Printmaking and Ceramics. It was also at Wesleyan that she met her future husband, Anthony (Tony) Vestuto. They were married on September 27, 1954 and had three children. Pat moved to Bloomington, Indiana with her family in 1971.

Pat and Tony owned and operated the Brettony Fine Arts & Crafts Center in Bloomington from 1972 to 1977, where they were involved in ceramics production and sales as well as teaching classes in ceramics, painting, photography, sculpture, and drawing. Pat also worked as an executive and administrative secretary in various departments at Indiana University. One of her favorite jobs, however, was as administrative secretary at Rogers Elementary School, where she worked for over 8 years. Pat was an avid traveler, driving across the United States with her husband, and also visiting Europe many times. She loved gardening, home decorating, and her two cats, Max and Missy.

Pat is survived by her children, Anne Vestuto and husband Nathan Montoya of Madison, IN; Andrew Vestuto and wife Donna of Bloomington; Jon Vestuto and wife Cathie of Bloomington; grandson Adrian Montoya of Baltimore, MD; and nephew Rick Benson of Macon, IL. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, her mother and father, her sister Joann Benson, and her nephew Kim Benson.

Visitation will be held at the Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home; 4150 E. Third St. in Bloomington on Saturday August 26th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the ASPCA, or the family can be contacted for suggestions of local arts charities.

Online condolences may be given at www.DayDeremiahFryeFuneralHome.com