Sylvia Ann Patten

Sylvia Ann Patten 68, of Lebanon, IN passed away due to Alzheimer's on September 22nd. Her beloved parents were Bernard G. and Eldena F. Thale. She was born January 29, 1950 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Sylvia was 12 when she confessed her faith in Jesus and was baptized. She loved Camp Christian and Girl Scout camp. She also loved music, dramatics, and dance. Sylvia graduated from Finneytown High School with NHS membership. After high school she graduated with distinction from DePauw University earning a BA in English. Her friends and acquaintances remember her joyful smile and spirit.

Sylvia worked for 2 years in Cincinnati and then married her college sweetheart, John M. Patten on March 30, 1974. The newlyweds then moved to Albert Lea, Minn. Sylvia studied at Mankato State University and did her practicum in Teaching at Albert Lea high school. Her cooperating teacher ended her first of many outstanding evaluations with the exclamation, "Sylvia sparkles!"

Sylvia moved to Indiana where she opted to teach at Lebanon H. S. Sylvia was known for her hard work, meticulous lesson plans, and innovative curriculum. Sylvia loved teaching and loved her students. She facilitated individual learning styles. She expected her students to perform and would reward honest effort. During her tenure at Lebanon she earned a MA in English with honors from the U of I. She earned her Master Teacher's License. The National Endowment of Humanities awarded her a fellowship. Sylvia was the academic coordinator and academic teams coordinator at LHS when she retired.

Sylvia was a member of Tri Delta and Ulen Country Club. She enjoyed Bible Study Fellowship, University Women, and Boone County Retired teachers meetings. She was a member of First Baptist Church where she taught vbs and Sunday school for many years.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, John; her sister, Joyce Thale Rybak; her children, Randy Patten, Johanna Patten, and Bernadine Schwegman; and her grandchildren, Joshua Staley, Michelle Staley, Paige Staley, and Thomas Schwegman.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 27th, from 5-7 p.m. at Aaron Ruben Nelson Mortuary 11411 N Michigan Rd, Zionsville, IN. A memorial service will begin shortly after the visitation concludes.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, September 29th at 11 a.m. at Oak Grove Cemetery in Pennyville with lunch to follow at Alfordsville Christian Church.