Former Manhattan Village Treasurer Helps Write Own Obituary

MANHATTAN, IL -- James R. Patterson, former Manhattan Township Clerk and village of Manhattan treasurer, died at home on April 29 while surrounded by his family. He was 92.

Patterson was a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-1946. Years later, he wrote a series of "notes" to help his family write his obituary.

"Under no circumstances should you feel obligated to us this in its entirety," he wrote in a one-page note some years back, adding, “As I re-read this, I sound like a 'blowhard' politician."

But the family did use his entire self-written obituary. It's posted here on the Forsythe Gould Funeral Home website.

Patterson was an active member of the Manhattan community, where he lived for more than 55 years. He was Township Clerk for 16 years, treasurer for nine-and-a-half and was a member of the Administration Commission of St. Joseph Church for 18 years. He was also the basketball coach and president of the St. Joseph's School Athletic Board for seven years.

Also, he was a trustee on the Manhattan Park District Board and was a Cubmaster in the scouting program.

His family tree includes three children, 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was married to Janet, who died in 2016, for 63 years.

Patterson will be remembered at a visitation on Wednesday, May 2 from 4-8 p.m. at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St. in Manhattan. A funeral will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 3 and progress to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 235 West North Street in Manhattan for a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial.

Interment with military honors will take place immediately following the Mass at St. Joseph Cemetery, Manhattan.

Photo via Forsythe Gould Funeral Home