Jill Patterson, 37, of Stevensville, MI passed away peacefully Monday, April 4, 2016 at her home.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday, April 9, 2016 at the First Church of God, 2627 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, with Pastor Chris Spitters officiating. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville. Friends may visit from 3:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Friday, April 8, 2016 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials contributions will go towards the Patterson Children’s Educational Fund in c/o Jim Patterson. Those wishing to share a memory of Jill online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Jill was born September 13, 1978 in Kalamazoo, MI. to Linda Berry and David Schmidt. She graduated from Lakeshore High School in 1997. On October 22, 2011 she married Jim Patterson in Stevensville.
Jill is survived by her husband Jim Patterson; daughter Henley (age 2 ); twin sons Nolan & Colton (age 18 months) ; parents Linda Berry and David Schmidt; sister Heather Schmidt; and brother Alex Schmidt.
Jill’s dedication to her family was beyond compare. Her dream in life was to be a wife and mother and that dream was fulfilled when she married Jim. They started their growing family and Jill’s love and affection for her husband and children was apparent by the extraordinary wife and mother she was. Jill managed having three children under the age of three with grace and did so effortlessly. Henley, Nolan, and Colton were involved in swimming, art class, music class, library, and church. Her profound love for their growth and well-being was first and foremost in her life. She was the kind of mother we all should strive to be loving, selfless, and dedicated. Jim and Jill enjoyed beach days with their children and last summer spent a lot of time camping, which is something she always had an affinity for since she was a child. Jill’s love for her husband was something some could only dream of… she was his support and the keeper of the home they built together, she was tender and loving. Jim was not only her husband but her very best friend, they loved traveling and have experienced so many amazing things together, but their greatest accomplishment is their 3 beautiful children.
Jill’s mother Linda and her sister Heather were very close as they spoke every day and often helped with the children and were a big part of both Jim and Jill’s life. The bond between mother and daughter and sister was so precious, deep, and loving. They enjoyed family dinners to Tosi’s, holidays, birthdays, and the simple daily moments in life. She will be forever cherished by her family.
Jill was the type of friend everyone wanted to be around. She had warmth and glow to her and her smile lit up a room. She was easy to be around, a caring confidant and someone that was not only respected, but so loved and admired by those who were blessed enough to know her deeply. Her sense of humor could lighten up any situation and she had a great and positive impact on those who knew her.
While we grieve and try and make sense of this difficult time we know that Jill’s deep faith in the Lord Jesus has made her fully whole, healed, and without pain or sadness in His tender and merciful arms. We know we will see her again one day. She will forever be in our hearts and missed.