Patricia Ann Stephens, age 88 of Vandalia, passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at New Lebanon Healthcare. She was born in Bloomington, Illinois on May 16, 1935 the daughter of Frank & Anna (Emmett) Jobba. Patricia married Gerald Stephens in Carlock, Illinois on May 15, 1952 and they were married over 50 years. They eventually made their home in Vandalia. She worked as a waitress at her family's restaurant growing up in Carlock and later in life at the original Christy's Restaurant in Vandalia. She enjoyed reading, sewing, attending craft fairs, music, TV and radio murder mysteries, attending stage productions with her co-workers, being creative and decorating her home, and spending time with her children, grandboys and friends. In her young adult life in Sheldon, Illinois, she was a member of the Sheldon IL Women's Club and teamed up with that group to carry out charitable acts in her small rural community. She participated at school functions as a room mother and as a backstage dresser for the community dance recitals. She loved animals and children and cared for many of them during her lifetime. She fulfilled her strongest childhood dream of having a home of her own and creating a family to love and care for. She often said her favorite part of her life and family story was years spent with her grandchildren growing up.

She is survived by her children Teresa (Paul) Ellingen of Ft. Wayne, Ind., Rose (Michael) Beeler of Vandalia and William (Patt) Stephens of Vandalia. She was grandma, gram, yaya to her four grandsons Brandon and Zachary Beeler Spencer Ellingen and Chance Stephens.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 2002; parents; foster parents John & Frances Hulvey; two siblings and her brothers & sisters in law.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024 at 1:00 pm at the ZERKLE FUNERAL HOME, 11900 N. Dixie Dr., Tipp City. Memorial contributions may be made in Pat's memory to the activities department or volunteering your time at your local memory care unit of any senior living facility. Condolences may be sent to the family through this online guestbook.