Stephen (Steve) Lavern Patrick passed away peacefully July 2, 2019 at the age of 75. He was born to George and Doris Patrick September 23, 1943 in Herrin, IL. After graduating from Marion High School in 1961, he studied at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he received a Bachelor of Science majoring in chemistry with a minor in physics. He received his Masters of Science Chemistry from College of William & Mary in 1973.
After graduating, he taught chemistry and physics in Raymond, IL, for three years before being drafted into the US Army. After completion of basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, he served in Korea until 1970.
Steve married Sandra Kay Yard on August 8, 1970 in St. Louis, MO. After moving to Belleville, IL, he taught chemistry and physics for Cahokia High School until 2000. Following his retirement, he became a devoted Papa to his grandchildren. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, tending to the orchard, flying planes, playing golf, and tennis.
Steve is survived by his:
- Wife: Sandy
- Sons
- Brian (Renetta) of Columbia, IL
- Jeff (Kathryn) of Chatham, IL
- Grandchildren
- Alex
- Elyse
- Sister: Linda (Rick) Stuart of Kansas City, KS
- Many loving nieces and nephews
Memorials may be made to Lymphoma Society, Union United Methodist, Doctor’s Without Borders and Habitat for Humanity.
Services: A memorial celebration of life will be held at Union United Methodist Church in Belleville, IL, July 8, 2019 @ 10:00 am. At his request a private burial will be held Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.
20 Comments To "Stephen (Steve) Lavern Patrick"
#1 Comment By Lisa Golab On July 3, 2019 @ 6:39 pm
Sandy, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved. May your memories comfort you. With deep sympathy to you & yours.
#2 Comment By Kathy Elmore On July 3, 2019 @ 9:16 pm
Sandy I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family. Steve was a great teaher and loved by so many.
#3 Comment By Laura Clark On July 4, 2019 @ 7:52 am
I’m so sorry to hear of Steve’s passing. Our prayers are with all the family??
#4 Comment By Bob Aherin On July 4, 2019 @ 4:14 pm
Sandy very sorry to hear about Steve’s death. He was one of my favorite teachers. You and your family are in my prayers.
#5 Comment By John Sykes On July 4, 2019 @ 5:05 pm
My sympathy and prayers are with your family. I was honored to teach with Steve at Cahokia and my son was a student of his as well. He is a man who will leave a great legacy.
#6 Comment By margie schwartz On July 4, 2019 @ 7:25 pm
Please accept my sympathy. I lost my husband, Pat, last November to the same illness. Pat and Steve taught together for many years at Cahokia High School. I am very sorry for your loss, Sandy and family.
Very sincerely,
Margie Schwartz
#7 Comment By Wendy Boren On July 4, 2019 @ 7:42 pm
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family, Jeff. Love, the Borens
#8 Comment By Sharon Landrey Hough On July 4, 2019 @ 11:11 pm
So sorry, Sandy. Prayers for your family. I had your husband at Lincolnwood and enjoy his talent and humor.
#9 Comment By Susan Bandy On July 5, 2019 @ 12:15 am
Sandy, I am so sorry to learn of your loss of Steve. He was a great family man and teacher and a mentor to many. You and your family have my sympathy.
Sincerely
Susan (Pope) Bandy
#10 Comment By Larry Weitekamp On July 5, 2019 @ 7:41 am
Sandy,
So sorry to hear about Steve. He was a wonderful man, teacher and I am sure husband and father. He made science class interesting and loved what he was doing. My sympathy and prayers. Larry
#11 Comment By Tara & Meghan McLaughlin On July 5, 2019 @ 8:05 pm
Jeff and Tomi- we are so sorry for your loss. Please know we’re thinking of and praying for you all. May your faith carry you and your memories comfort you as you grieve.
#12 Comment By Rich & Carolyn Buxton On July 5, 2019 @ 9:21 pm
Please accept the sincere sympathy of myself and my wife. I had the great honor and pleasure of working with Steve at Cahokia High School until his retirement in 2000. Steve had the respect and the admiration of students and staff, he most certainly had mine. As I moved from teaching to administration, Steve filled a key role on our staff and he made my job easier and more enjoyable. I am deeply honored to have shared the same profession with him.
#13 Comment By Roger Knox On July 5, 2019 @ 10:12 pm
Sandy, in my mind Steve should still be alive. Steve was a great friend, travel advisor and caring person. When I eat tomatoes from the plants that Steve gave me, I will remember what a loss that we share.
Roger
#14 Comment By Jean Joseph On July 6, 2019 @ 11:02 am
Steve loved to brag about his boys and grandchildren. He also enjoyed indulging you in your love of sewing, quilting and traveling. My heart and prayers go out to you, Brian and Jeff.
#15 Comment By Cherie (Stanford) Klosterman On July 7, 2019 @ 8:59 pm
Mr. Patrick was one of my most favorite teachers at Cahokia High School. He inspired me to pursue a career in the education field as a school psychologist! I am so sorry for your family’s loss! Please accept my condolences!
#16 Comment By James Brown On July 7, 2019 @ 11:32 pm
So sorry for your family’s loss. May he live on through the great stories you choose to share with others. He was one of my favorite teachers and a great person. He will be missed by many. But his great influences he had on his family, friends and students will live on forever.
#17 Comment By Paul and Jeanine Schmierbach On July 9, 2019 @ 3:59 pm
So sorry to learn of Steve’s passing. All of the tributes here speak volumes for the legacy he left for his family to cherish and remember. Though we did not know Steve personally, we felt connected somehow through my brother Larry and sister-in-law, Grace.
May you remember… The best experiences you shared. The most meaningful words that were spoken. The happiest moments you had together. And the comfort which will give you the courage to go on. May God give you strength during this difficult time. Thoughts and prayers.
#18 Comment By Elaine Lee Walch On July 11, 2019 @ 8:39 am
Sandy….I am so very sorry for your loss. May your faith and memories carry you through this difficult time.
#19 Comment By Michael Towler/1974 On June 13, 2020 @ 3:08 pm
He was a wonderful teacher. I’ll always remember his “Law of the Conservation of Fat” in which fat can neither be created nor destroyed so that if you lose weight someone on the other side of the world gains it. Funny guy.
#20 Comment By Michael J. Cox, MD On August 11, 2023 @ 3:34 pm
Mr. Patrick was the most talented and inspiring teacher I ever met. Taking his classes changed my life forever and I will never forget him. I owe him an enormous debt of gratitude!