Obituary of Patricia Ann Holcomb

Patricia “Pat” Ann Holcomb, age 91, passed away peacefully at 12:15 am on Monday, January 15, 2024, following a series of strokes that began nine days prior.  She spent her final few days at the Center for Hospice in Mishawaka, IN, where they took compassionate care of her.

She was born on September 20, 1932 on the Holcomb Farm outside of Petersburg, MI. She was the first of four children, all daughters, born to George Edwin and Doris Ellen (Rusling) Holcomb.  She and her sisters grew up on that farm where their family and paternal grandparents, Nelson and Hattie (Lee) Holcomb, lived in the adjacent house.

Her first eight years of education were at Oak Grove School, a one-room schoolhouse down the road from the family farm.  In ninth grade she started attending Petersburg High School.  She graduated from that school in 1950, though by then, it was called Summerfield Township High School.  In 1951, she graduated from the Secretarial School at Stautzenberger Business College in Toledo, OH.

While still living in Michigan, Pat worked for DeVilbiss Manufacturing Co. in Toledo, OH, and then at Revco in Deerfield, MI.  It was while working at Revco, that Pat chose to make the big move to St. Louis, MO, to take a job at Guaranteed Heating and Engineering Co.  Later, she worked at St. Louis Candle Co.  In 1974, she went to work at the UA Local 562 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Health Center, from where she retired 29 years later in 2003, at age 70. 

Pat had a deep love for animals.  Her first pet in St. Louis was a German Shepard puppy named Fritz, that a friend found running loose in an intersection.  She would go on to have many more dogs and cats up until she moved out of her house and into a senior living apartment in 2013.  After that, she loved dog-sitting, or when friends or family stopped by with their pets.

For more than a couple of decades, Pat almost always succeeded in going “up home” for Christmas, whether by train or plane (TWA back then).  She enjoyed trips with family, and loved having family visit her in St. Louis.  In her retirement, she was a long-time, active member of the Northside Optimist.  She was active in her church and enjoyed time with friends.  In her most recent years, she found enjoyment in humble pleasures; spending her days watching her favorite TV shows, playing bingo, and challenging her mind with crossword puzzles.

After more than 60 years living in St. Louis, Pat left there in July of 2023, to move into assisted living near her sister, Janet, in northern Indiana.  That also put her within a few hours of her other two sisters, Norma and Ila.  In October, the four sisters were able to all get together for the first time in about 20 years.  Pat said numerous times after moving back closer to her family, that it was really nice to be able to see her family more often.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, George & Doris Holcomb; and all of her many beloved pets.

She is survived by three sisters: Norma (the late Eldon) Sontag of Dundee, MI; Ila (Kerm) Briner of Addison, MI; Janet (the late Gordon) Luck of South Bend, IN; seven nieces and nephews: Jeff (Linda) Sontag of Dundee, MI; Kevin (Kathy) Sontag of Temperance, MI; Collette (Don) Korican of Tecumseh, MI; Brad (Aimee) Luck of Dundee, MI; Shannon (Pete) Brillhart of Ventura, CA; Phil (Debbie) Sontag of Dundee, MI; Greg (Christine) Briner of St. Clair, MI; nine grand-nieces and nephews; along with six great-grand-nieces and nephews.  Also surviving Pat is her son Michael (Stephanie) Smith of Conroe, TX, who was lovingly raised by his adoptive family.  His children and grandchildren were also special in her heart.

Friends may gather for her viewing on Thursday; January 25, 2024, from 10:00 am until the Celebration of Her Life at 11:00 am at Dundee United Methodist Church; 735 Franklin Street, Dundee, MI 48131.  Procession will follow to the Deerfield Township Cemetery for interment.

In lieu of flowers, Pat wished that donations be made to the Open Door Animal Sanctuary (https://odas.org) located at 6065 Duda Rd, House Springs, MO  63051.

Her care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, MI  48131 (734) 529-3156. Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com to leave words of inspiration and comfort or to share a photo.