Cherie "Jan" Patton

Cherie “Jan” Patton, 71, formerly of Findlay and Bowling Green, Ohio and Seven Lakes, North Carolina, passed away Saturday, November 26, 2011. She was born October 7, 1940 in Mountain Grove, Missouri, the youngest of five.

Jan received her B.S. from the University of Missouri at Columbia, M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Bowling Green State University. Jan began her career as a Jr. High and High School teacher in the Missouri and Bowling Green public schools.

She advanced in her career as Assistant Superintendent then Superintendent in the Findlay (Ohio) City Schools. In 1991, Jan and her husband Bob moved to Portland, Maine, where she served as the Principal at Deering High School until her retirement in 1994 when she and Bob moved to Seven Lakes, NC.

Jan was involved with many national, state, and regional professional organizations. She was the President of Phi Delta Kappa from 1988-89, conceptualized and implemented writing lab recognized as national model by National council of Teacher of English, and was one of 25 “Accomplished Graduates” selected for Bowling Green State University 100,000th Graduate Celebration. She was involved with the Findlay/Hancock County (Ohio)P: Rotary International, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Council on Domestic Violence, Crime Prevention Board, Area Arts Council (President, 1985-86), United Way, Planned Parenthood, PEO, Historical Society funding drives, Black Studies, and Library Association.

Jan loved teaching, making a difference, and was very dedicated to her profession. She loved water-skiing, working on her award-winning flower beds in North Carolina, sewing, collecting Nutcrackers, collecting antiques, and watching movies. She always enjoyed holidays with her family, especially making her traditional noodles. Jan battled COPD and emphysema but did not let her disease define her as she always remained active.

Jan was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; parents, James and Beulah Chevalier; and longtime cat, Katie. Jan will be missed by her son, James Robert Patton; sisters, Juilane (Freeman) Van Houten, Moberly, MO and Jimilee Patterson, Springfield, Ill; brothers, Bob (Sandy) Chevalier, Harrisonville, MO and Jerry (Carol) Chevalier, Normal, Ill; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 1p.m. Saturday, May 19, 2012 at First United Methodist Church, 1526 E. Wooster St., Bowling Green, Rev. Tom Mellott, officiating. Inurnment at Oak Grove Cemetery. A reception will be held at the church immediately following the burial.

Contributions may be made in Jan’s memory to a scholarship for a female graduate of Findlay High School who is going into education, c/o Treasurer of Findlay City Schools, Findlay, OH 45840. Arrangements entrusted to Schoedinger Worthington Chapel, Columbus, OH (614) 848-6699. To share memories of Jan, visit www.schoedinger.com.