PATRICIA L. EICHENBERGER

Patricia Louise Eichenberger, 87, of Belton, MO, passed away July 9, 2015, at Carnegie Village in Belton, surrounded by family. Patricia was born to William Morris Lees & Mary Louise (Moon) Lees on September 10, 1927 at their home in Sedalia, Missouri. The daughter of a Depression-era railroad worker, Patricia was uprooted 13 times in her first eight years of school, alternating between homes in Sedalia and Saint Louis. At her mother's insistence, Patricia's high school years were spent at Roosevelt High School and it would be there in Saint Louis that her passion for music would take root and blossom. Soon, Patricia was teaching and performing music at the Ludwig Studio along with musical great Mel Bay and playing the Hawaiian guitar on Garner's Radio Band. It was in this latter role that she would meet the man who would be her husband of 60 years, Ralph Stanley "Stan" Eichenberger. "Pat & Stan" as they were known to most, were married on June 30, 1946, after Stan, an Air Force pilot in World War II, returned from Germany. The Korean War and ensuing Cold War would soon return Stan to service, however, and Patricia would assume the role of a career Air Force officer's wife, a role in which she took great personal and patriotic pride. In the Air Force, Patricia and her family were again uprooted repeatedly, ultimately moving to Belton in 1969 when Stan was stationed at Richards-Gebauer Air Force Base. It would be in Belton that, after a lifetime of moving, Patricia would remain for the rest of her life.
Known for their devotion to God and family above all else, Patricia and Stan quickly became members of the First Baptist Church of Belton and remained so more than forty years. During that time, Patricia was church secretary for 8 ½ years. Proud of her role in the church, Stan would later list this secretary position as Patricia's occupation on a family genealogy, adding that she was also a "Mother/Wife/Good to All". Stan would precede Patricia in death in 2007, still devoted to her and still referring to her as "my bride".
Patricia is survived by her daughters Cheri Dawson (Jim) and Leslie Dick (Woodrow, Jr.); four grandchildren; Woodrow Dick, III (Linda), Sarah Snyder (Mickey), Emily Wolfer (Scott), Adrienne Rogers (Justin); and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11AM, Monday, July 13, 2015 at Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, MO with visitation to precede the services from 10-11AM. Burial will be in Belton Cemetery. Noting that Patricia loved butterflies, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Belton Parks & Recreation's Memorial Butterfly Garden in her name. Donation information is below.
Memorial Butterfly Garden
Belton Parks & Recreation
16400 N Mullen Rd
Belton, MO 64012

*checks should be made out to "Belton Parks & Recreation" with "Butterfly Garden- Patricia Eichenberger" written on memo line.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, MO (816) 322-5278