Maribeth Ferne (Riddle) Patterson, 81, of Decatur, passed away peacefully at home surrounded
by her family on Friday, January 14th , 2022. She joins her Savior, Jesus Christ, and reunites with
her husband of 48 years, Gary Alan Patterson (d. 2015), in Heaven.

The daughter of Walter R. and Ferne Roos Riddle, Maribeth was born in Decatur on March 12 th ,
1940. As a resident of the Decatur community her entire life, she was proudly a member of the
first graduating class of MacArthur High School. Maribeth is remembered for her deep
Christian faith, for her devotion to her husband and family, and for her life-long relationships
with her closest childhood friends. As a homemaker, she raised her six children in the same
home in which she grew up. As a baby-sitter for many years, she provided a safe, loving
environment for countless children entrusted to her care. Maribeth will also be remembered
for her beautiful smile, for her unbounded servitude to those around her, and for her love of
cats.

Surviving are her daughters Laura Harris (David) of Pryor, OK, Christina Patterson of Decatur,
IL, her sons Eric Patterson, of Rincon, GA, Michael Patterson (DeeDee), of Decatur, IL, James
Patterson (Meri) of Olathe, KS, Daniel Patterson (Michelle) of Decatur, IL, and her four
grandchildren, Morgan, Cooper, Andrew, and Elizabeth.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gary, her brother John Riddle (Marcia)
of Peoria, IL, and one granddaughter, Erin.

A special thank you to Christina from her siblings for the care she provided as both loving
daughter and dedicated, full-time nurse to our mother in her final years.

The family will hold a celebration of Maribeth’s life at a later date, and memorials may be made
to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Decatur, IL, where she was a life-long member.