Patricia I. Utter, 84, Athens, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at 9:08 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at Hickory Creek of Rochester.

On April 14, 1934, Patricia Ilene Jernigan was born in Detroit, Mich. She was a treasured daughter of Bryan and Olevia Goody Jernigan. She was the third oldest of seven children. She was a member of the Rochester High School class of 1952.

In the Rochester Church of God, on Dec. 20, 1954, she married the love of her life, Mr. Morse Monroe Utter. They have shared 64 years of life’s adventures. From their union came three wonderful sons Morse Jr., Bill and Todd. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of two more generations.

As an entrepreneur, she co-owned Morry’s Ready Mix with her husband. She was office manager and kept the books. Each spring she and Morry planted a huge truck patch garden. The bountiful harvest provided her with produce for canning green beans, ketchup and tomato juice for the family’s winter use. The Utter’s enjoyed an annual September trip to southern Michigan to get a supply of peaches for canning. To relax they enjoyed many trips to Branson, Mo. to see the shows and enjoy some good country music.

As the matriarch of the Utter family, Grandma Pat was so very proud to oversee four generations. An accomplished quilter, she created custom “guilt quilts.” Many were made with the help of her grand-daughters. Grandma also taught all of the grandchildren the finer points of euchre and canasta. They all enjoyed fishing the gravel pit, where Grandma could be seen at the waters edge with her casting rod. There was nothing better than the family getting together making memories at the holidays and special family celebrations.

Left to cherish Pat Utter’s memory are her husband, Morse Sr., are their three sons, Morse Utter Jr of Akron, Todd Utter and wife Ruthie of Rochester, Jack William “Bill” Utter and wife Tammy of Akron; eight grandchildren, Amber Edmonson and husband Bryan, Ashley Hoyt, Lacey R. Utter, Aimee Utter, Krystal Costello, Brandi Utter and fiancé Ryan Jonas, Cody Utter and wife Shanai, Jack W. Utter Jr.; 11 great-grandchildren, a brother, Michael Jernigan and wife Cindy of Rochester and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death are her parents Bryan and Olevia Jernigan, three sisters, Barbara Geller, Midge Ramsey, Shirley Allred and two Jernigan brothers, Robert, Joe and a daughter-in-law Francis Utter.

A celebration of the life of Patricia Utter will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th St., Rochester. Pastor Phil Pratt will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 1- 4 p.m. on Saturday in the funeral home. Interment will be in the Athens Mt. Hope Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Athens Community Church, 30 South 650 East, Athens, IN 46912 or Bethlehem Baptist Church,3516 N. 650 E., Rochester, IN 46975.