Ione "Stub" Patterson

Ione Patterson, or Stub as most people called her, died Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011 at The Laurels of Mt. Pleasant at the age of 83. In following her wishes, cremation has taken place and her ashes will be placed inside the casket with her husband, Stewart, in Elkland Cemetery, Cass City. The family is being served by Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant. Ione was born March 19, 1927, in Caro, the daughter of the late Allah and Alice (Binder) Schrader. After graduating from Caro High School and receiving her Associates Degree from Bay City Business School, she married Stewart Patterson on March 10, 1947. They had three sons, Samuel, James and Michael in the 1950s and a surprise package, David, in 1965 which kept them young! Little did she know as a high school typist for Valley Boy Scout Council of Saginaw that she would become a member of the Boy Scouts of America for over 50 years. She and her husband, always partners, managed J.C. Softball for five years and then Stew became Scoutmaster of Troop 560 and she, Secretary/Treasurer, for the next 12 years. From there Stew became Scoutmaster of Troop 570 and she, chairman of the troop committee. She was still with this troop as Secretary/Treasurer. All four sons became Eagle Scouts. On her own in Scouting, she was a Den Mother, Thumb District Chairman for Camporees and Klondikes for many years where attendance ran in the 500s. She was a member of the Outdoor Training Staff and also on staff for the Lake Huron Area Council Summer Camps-Bear Lake and Camp Rotary. She was the first female business manager at Camp Rotary in 1970. Over the years, she designed patches, one of which was used in the National Scout catalog, made trophies, three sets of 84 merit badge signs for Camp Rotary and several flower beds. In 1983, Stub was presented with the highest honor the Lake Huron Area Council could give to a Scouter-The Silver Beaver Award. Ione was active too, in her Caro Methodist Church, where she was a lifelong member, by serving as a Sunday School teacher 20 years, choir member 10 years, and an officer of the Womens Christian Service 12 years as well as a Youth Fellowship Counselor five years. And last but not least, she called the bingo numbers for 20 years at the Tuscola County Nursing Home where it took so little to make them happy. Stub and Stew took great pride in their yard at home where they decorated year round-even winning some prizes! Stub is survived by two sons, Michael Patterson of Caro and David Patterson of Mt. Pleasant; six grandchildren; and one brother, Robert (Bernice) Schrader of Caro. Preceding her in death was her husband, Stewart in 2010; and sons, James and Samuel. Memorial contributions may be made to Caro Boy Scout Troop 570 or Caro United Methodist Church.