Patricia Ruth (Mollet) Whitchurch, 86, of Decatur, IL, formerly of Centralia, died Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Decatur Memorial Hospital.
She was the youngest of seven children of Mike and Polly (Willeford) Mollet. Known as “Pat” to many and
“Patty” to her family, she was born on October 27, 1939, at her parents’ home in rural Greenville, IL.
Pat often said she must have had the best childhood. She knew love from the beginning of her life – the love of family and the love of the Lord. Because she was so loved, she was able to extend love to everyone she met. Her lifelong character was defined by this love and the kindness, care, and contentment that flowed from it.
Her life took Pat from Greenville to school at the University of Illinois, several months in Germany with the International Farm Youth Exchange organization, an early career as a Home Advisor with the Cooperative Extension Service, and eventually to Marion County. Later, she enjoyed a 25-year career as a Case Manager with Senior Services of Marion County, serving countless seniors in the area.
It was in Marion County where she met Jerrold Whitchurch. Pat and Jerrold wed on October 19, 1969, at her childhood home, then settled on Jerrold’s family farm in rural Centralia. They spent their married life there and raised their three children, instilling in them the same values they received from their parents.
Pat was a devoted wife until Jerrold’s passing in 2017. She was a constant supporter of her children, serving as a 4-H club leader and attending their activities and events.
Faith in Jesus was foundational to Pat’s life, and she lived it out in ways that were evident to all who knew her. She was a longtime member of Mt. Nebo Primitive Baptist Church in Bond County, describing it as
“the most beautiful place on earth”. She was also active at Zion Hill Baptist Church in rural Centralia.
Pat is survived by her children, Mike (Janet) Whitchurch, Patrick Whitchurch, and Polly Whitchurch; grandchildren Sarah (Jacob) Bell, Anna (Conner) Fisher, Arthur, Elysa, and Colin Whitchurch, and Artem, Bohdan, Amelie, Quentin, and Valia Whitchurch; sister-in-law Shirley Prewitt, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters, and brothers-in-law Doris and Carl Jacobs, Martha and Gerald Jenner, and Evelyn and Joe Whitehead; brother and sister-in-law Marshall and Carla Mollet; brother Marion Mollet; sister Polly Alice Mollet; and in-laws Joan and Cotton Hester, David and Raydell Whitchurch, Bob Martin, and Bill Prewitt.
To honor Pat’s life, a visitation will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia, IL. A private family burial will be held at a later date in Zion Hill Cemetery in Centralia. A Celebration of Life Service will be held May 16, 2026, at Mt. Nebo Primitive Baptist Church in Greenville, IL, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Mt. Nebo Primitive Baptist Church or Cemetery. They will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home, 235 North Sycamore Street, Centralia, IL 62801, (618)532-3523, which is honored to be of service to Pat’s family. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the funeral home’s Facebook page.
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