Patricia “Pat” Marie Polen Clinton, 83, passed away on Sunday, September 25, 2011, at her River Park home in Plymouth, following a six-month battle with lung cancer. She was a former Newton County resident and moved her family to Plymouth in 1974. Patricia was born December 27, 1927 to John James Polen and Cleta Marie (Goessman) Polen in Rensselaer, Ind. Due to the death of her mother soon after her birth, Patricia was raised by her paternal grandmother, Mary Egan Polen and aunt, Elizabeth Polen Hickman, in Goodland, Ind. Patricia attended school and graduated from Goodland High School in 1946.
Patricia was married to Russell Calvin Clinton in Goodland on November 19, 1947 and subsequently gave birth to five children. Her husband, Russell preceded her in death July 2, 1989. She is survived by her five children: Franki Lee Clinton Budde residing in Lafayette, IN, Stephen William (Bonnie) Clinton residing in Fishers, IN., Michael John Clinton residing in Bloomington, IN., Joseph Russell (Judy) Clinton residing in Plymouth, IN, and Patrick Thomas (Jennifer) Clinton residing in Gray Court, South Carolina. She is survived by eight grandchildren; Tracey (Rodney) Winger, Timothy Budde, Jennifer (William) Rutherford, Brian Clinton, Michael (Elly) Clinton, Ryan Clinton, Chad Clinton and Sara Clinton, six great-grandchildren also survive together with a brother, Francis Polen and a sister, Mary Polen. Patricia was preceded in death by a brother, John (Bud) Polen and a sister, Phyllis Polen Ferrell.
Patricia was employed in Kentland, Indiana and Plymouth, Indiana by United Telephone Company as a telephone operator and supervisor until her retirement in 1988. Patricia Clinton attended St. Michael Catholic Church in Plymouth.
Patricia was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who supported and nurtured her family. When challenges came in her life she always fought hard to protect her family and keep them together. She enjoyed following the lives of her grandchildren and was a regular at Plymouth High School football, basketball, baseball and volleyball games. Her favorite times were the holidays when everyone would gather at her home. As she grew older, her family took on more of the holiday responsibilities, but she always enjoyed seeing everyone back together. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Visiting hours will be from 4 – 7 p.m. EDT Wednesday, September 28, 2011, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. The Rosary will be prayed there at 7 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 419 S. Newton St, Goodland, Indiana on Thursday at Noon where calling will continue from 10:45 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. CDT The Rev. Fr. Robert Bernotas will celebrate the Mass.
It was Patricia’s wish that she be interred near her mother’s grave in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Goodland, IN.
Preferred memorial gifts in Patricia’s name may be made to the Center for Hospice Care, 112 S. Center St., Plymouth, IN 46563.
Jenny says
Love you gramma!
Dan Ferrell Janice Fronczkowski and family says
So sorry for your loss.
Jennifer & Chuck Houin says
What a wonderful lady! Our deepest sympathies goe out to Joe and his family at this difficult time! We love you all! Jennifer, Chuck, Luke and Grant Houin 🙂
Angie says
May the sorrow you feel in your heart lighten by the love that surrounds you.
Love you all~Chris,Angie,Cj and Shawn Hamilton
Tom and Kathy Burns says
Tom and I send you our deepest sympathy and love to all…Aunt Pat was an amazing woman and when I was younger we use to have long talks together…she meant the world to me!
Norma and Randy Rowland says
Our family sends our deepest sympathy to the family of Pat……
We are so sorry that we can\’t be there to give you all hugs but you are in our thoughts.
Pat was a sweet lady and the memories you have will go on with you in your hearts forever.
Keith Wickens says
Joe Clinton and family, you all have my deepest sympathy in the loss of your mother and grandmother. Just let it be known that the lord is looking down on his good and faithful servant for a life well lived.
Tracey Winger says
Gramma, you were the one who taught us all how to be such a strong family. We will remember and love you forever. -Tracey
Dennis Funk says
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family, may God bless you all
Sheila Huff says
Dear Fran and Family:
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time
With Deepest Sympathy
Sheila
Ron Budde says
You all have my sincere sympathy. I know you will miss her but yet never forget her.
Rick Matillo says
Steve and Bonnie:
I am so sorry for your loss. I will see you both on Wednesday.
Shirley Gidley says
I had no idea that Pat had been so ill. A nice lady and I know that God will bless her and her family.
My thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Kerri Nonte says
Jenny,
I know how your heart aches, yet is glad that the pain is now over. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Grandma Pat and Grandma Martha are talking about their granddaughters and watching over us. May God keep you close and feel the comfort of his love during this time. I love you!
Al, Barb & Sal Bustamante says
You all are in our thoughts & prayers Joe, I know how difficult it is and the roads ahead, but remember… you have your friends & family to lean on
Love,
Al, Barb & Sal
Bomber Wickey says
The Clinton Family:
We are so sorry for your loss.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bomber and Nita Wickey
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Charles P. Egan says
We send our condolences to all of the family. Pat was a very special person and we loved her very much. God will have a special place for a very special person \”Pat\”. God bless you all. Charles Egan and Bea Alexander
Linda Zeider says
Joe you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Your Mom was an amazing woman and she is now flying with the angels.
Linda & Dave Zeider
John Hernandez says
Hey guys, I probably haven\’t spoke to you since we were little kids in Kentland, but Jimmy Couch told me that your mom passed away and I just wanted to send my condolences and say that I am sorry for your loss. Hopefully, we can talk again when things aren\’t so sad. Take care.
Jim Couch says
Franki, Steve, Mike, Joe, and Pat, I wanted to see you all today at Goodland to express my condolences and to see you all. I hope you remember me because John Hernandez and myself sure remember you guys. We were your neighbors in Kentland. I called John last night and told him about the passing of Pat. We both remember her as a \”cool\” mom. It sounds from her obit that she always was. We both send our prayers your way. I really wanted to share some memories with you all (though my memory is challenged), but unfortunatly the job I am doing kept me from coming. It makes me sick. I do remember you guys were great neighbors and a lot of fun. Hope all goes well for you without your wonderful Mother. Maybe we\’ll run into each other at another time. God Bless. Jim Couch and Johnny Hernandez P.S. John wanted me to ask Joe and Pat if you remember going to see Sam Molter ( the lawyer) for breaking some windows across the street from your house. I do! Take care.
Jenny says
Love you gramma!
Dan Ferrell Janice Fronczkowski and family says
So sorry for your loss.
Jennifer & Chuck Houin says
What a wonderful lady! Our deepest sympathies goe out to Joe and his family at this difficult time! We love you all! Jennifer, Chuck, Luke and Grant Houin 🙂
Angie says
May the sorrow you feel in your heart lighten by the love that surrounds you.
Love you all~Chris,Angie,Cj and Shawn Hamilton
Tom and Kathy Burns says
Tom and I send you our deepest sympathy and love to all…Aunt Pat was an amazing woman and when I was younger we use to have long talks together…she meant the world to me!
Norma and Randy Rowland says
Our family sends our deepest sympathy to the family of Pat……
We are so sorry that we can\’t be there to give you all hugs but you are in our thoughts.
Pat was a sweet lady and the memories you have will go on with you in your hearts forever.
Keith Wickens says
Joe Clinton and family, you all have my deepest sympathy in the loss of your mother and grandmother. Just let it be known that the lord is looking down on his good and faithful servant for a life well lived.
Tracey Winger says
Gramma, you were the one who taught us all how to be such a strong family. We will remember and love you forever. -Tracey
Dennis Funk says
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family, may God bless you all
Sheila Huff says
Dear Fran and Family:
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time
With Deepest Sympathy
Sheila
Ron Budde says
You all have my sincere sympathy. I know you will miss her but yet never forget her.
Rick Matillo says
Steve and Bonnie:
I am so sorry for your loss. I will see you both on Wednesday.
Shirley Gidley says
I had no idea that Pat had been so ill. A nice lady and I know that God will bless her and her family.
My thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Kerri Nonte says
Jenny,
I know how your heart aches, yet is glad that the pain is now over. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Grandma Pat and Grandma Martha are talking about their granddaughters and watching over us. May God keep you close and feel the comfort of his love during this time. I love you!
Al, Barb & Sal Bustamante says
You all are in our thoughts & prayers Joe, I know how difficult it is and the roads ahead, but remember… you have your friends & family to lean on
Love,
Al, Barb & Sal
Bomber Wickey says
The Clinton Family:
We are so sorry for your loss.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Bomber and Nita Wickey
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Charles P. Egan says
We send our condolences to all of the family. Pat was a very special person and we loved her very much. God will have a special place for a very special person \”Pat\”. God bless you all. Charles Egan and Bea Alexander
Linda Zeider says
Joe you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Your Mom was an amazing woman and she is now flying with the angels.
Linda & Dave Zeider
John Hernandez says
Hey guys, I probably haven\’t spoke to you since we were little kids in Kentland, but Jimmy Couch told me that your mom passed away and I just wanted to send my condolences and say that I am sorry for your loss. Hopefully, we can talk again when things aren\’t so sad. Take care.
Jim Couch says
Franki, Steve, Mike, Joe, and Pat, I wanted to see you all today at Goodland to express my condolences and to see you all. I hope you remember me because John Hernandez and myself sure remember you guys. We were your neighbors in Kentland. I called John last night and told him about the passing of Pat. We both remember her as a \”cool\” mom. It sounds from her obit that she always was. We both send our prayers your way. I really wanted to share some memories with you all (though my memory is challenged), but unfortunatly the job I am doing kept me from coming. It makes me sick. I do remember you guys were great neighbors and a lot of fun. Hope all goes well for you without your wonderful Mother. Maybe we\’ll run into each other at another time. God Bless. Jim Couch and Johnny Hernandez P.S. John wanted me to ask Joe and Pat if you remember going to see Sam Molter ( the lawyer) for breaking some windows across the street from your house. I do! Take care.