Wilber Carl Patterson Obituary

Wilber Carl Patterson, 92, of Findlay, died peacefully 
September 2, 2015 at Blanchard Valley Hospital 
surrounded by his children and wife. He was born January 
26, 1923 in McGuffey, OH to the late Charles and Anna 
(Wilson) Patterson. He married Mary Lou Croy and she 
died 12 November 1979. He then married Garnet Tarbox who 
died 10 December 2000. He then married Mary Waaland who 
survives. He is also survived by his children: Jon 
(Nancy) Patterson of Perrysburg. Joyce (Larry) Gibson, 
Jane (Jeff) Greer and Jeffry (Sheila) Patterson, all of 
Findlay. 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 6 
great-great grandchildren; step-children: John (Bea) 
Waaland and Mark (Glenda) Waaland; 9 step-grandchildren; 
15 step-great-grandchildren; 10 step-great- great 
grandchildren; and sister-in-law: Jeanne Patterson. He 
was preceded in death by a son, James Patterson; 
daughter-in-law, Linda Patterson, sisters: Wilna 
Downing; Alverda Dunson; Helen Carpenter; Ara Ellen 
Wooley; Jesse and Anna Pearl Patterson; brothers: 
Charles Merle; Elmer Eugene; John ; Robert; William and 
Paul Patterson; step-sons: Don Martin and James Waaland 
II and step-daughter Sherri Pierce. Wilber served 6 
months in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC's) in 
1939 as a teenager. He served his country in the U.S. 
Navy during WWII as a 3rd Class Petty Officer aboard the 
Liberty Ship SS Peterson a tanker carrying high octane 
aircraft fuel to England. After his Navy Service he 
worked as an auto mechanic until joining the Findlay 
Fire Department in 1951. He retired in 1975 as a Captain 
after 24 years of service. He went on to be the 
Maintenance Manager of Senior Towers for 6 years and 
also at the Villa Serenas Apartments in Tucson, Arizona 
for 2. He was a Boy Scout leader for many years, serving 
as the Scout Master and other positions as needed. He 
attended numerous Summer Camps and camping trips with 
the Scouts. He had 2 sons and 3 grandsons attain Eagle 
Scout rank, a son with the Star Scout rank and the God 
and Country Award and 3 grandsons with Life Scout rank. 
He was a 32nd Degree Mason, Scottish Rites, Toledo and a 
Life Member of the DAV. He was a member of St. Paul's 
United Methodist Church. Wilber enjoyed camping, 
fishing, travel and his children's activities. He 
enjoyed people and was a good friend to everyone. He 
loved his family most of all and enjoyed cooking big 
dinners for them. The Family would like to thank the 
nurses and aids from Birchaven Rehab, Blanchard Valley 
Hospital’s ICU, CCU, 5th Floor and the Hospice Team for 
the love and care they provided. Visitation will be held 
on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at 
COLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME and for one hour (10:00 - 
11:00 a.m.) prior to the service. A funeral service will 
begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at 
COLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME with Pastor Barry Baughman 
officiating. Full military rites will be conducted by 
the Hancock County Veterans Memorial Squad. A private 
family burial will take place at a later date. In lieu 
of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Cancer 
Patient Services or Bridge Home Health and Hospice. 
Condolences can be sent via www.coldrencrates.com.