J. Donald Patterson

John Donald Patterson, 98, of Cherokee, passed away Wednesday, July, 20, 2011 at the Cherokee Villa where he had been a resident for the past 3 years.

J. Donald was born August 25, 1912 on the family farm to Nellie Rogers Patterson and John W. Patterson.

Donald graduated from Wilson High School and attended Iowa State University for a year and a half.

J. Donald and Marjorie Ballinger were united in marriage in November 1944. The newly married couple lived in Grosse Pointe, Michigan where their son, Donald Baer Patterson was born in October 1945. Tragically in April of 1946, Marjorie was killed in a car accident. Following his wife?s death, Donald remained in Roseville, Michigan until he moved back to the family farm south of Cherokee in 1952.

Donald?s great loves after his family, were the family farm and his Beechcraft Bonanza airplane. Donald moved many times back and forth from jobs in Detroit to the farm until 1959 when he moved permanently to Cherokee.

During his life Donald: Built a full size glider in high school shop and formed a club to fly it. An article featuring the glider was published in the Cherokee Daily Times in August, 1995. Helped develop the first hydraulic front loader for a farm tractor at Caswell Manufacturing. Built a house in Roseville, Michigan in his off hours. Became a self-taught engineer working in WW II defense plants. Became an instrument rated pilot and a member of the United Flying Octogenarians. Consulted for R. J. Thomas Manufacturing on tooling issues. Enjoyed writing poetry and had letters published in the Wall Street Journal.

He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Marjorie, sister, Irene and brother, Stanley.

Donald will be lovingly remembered by his son, Don and daughter-in-law, Karen of Troy, Michigan, granddaughter, Amanda Patterson Dunakin and her husband, Dean of Chicago, grandson, Jeffrey Patterson and his wife, Marissa of Rochester Hills, Michigan.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at the Greenwood Funeral Home, Cherokee. Viewing will be from 6:00 till 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 2. Burial will be in West Pilot Cemetery. Please direct memorials to the Cherokee Public Library.