Lewis Donald Patterson - Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory

Lewis Donald Patterson

Born October 5, 1934

Lewis Donald Patterson, age 82, of Delaware City, DE, passed away peacefully and surrounded by his loving family and friends in the Compassionate Care Hospice Unit at St. Francis Hospital on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease and lung cancer.

The son of the late Lewis D. Patterson and Sidney I. (Carr) Leach, Don was born in Wilmington, DE on October 5, 1934. He proudly served his country as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps where he was a demolition instructor during the Korean War.

Don was a member of the Delaware City American Legion, Robert Taylor Post 13, and a member of the VFW Post 8801. He was also a life member of the Delaware City Recreation Club where he enjoyed bowling and horseshoes; a member of the Brantwood Golf Club, where in 1991, he won the Club Championship; and an active member of the Delaware City Senior Center.

Don enjoyed fishing (in 1998 he caught the largest striped bass in Delaware!) golfing, building wooden airplanes, drawing, playing the guitar, listening to music, playing bingo, and in his younger years, hunting. He also enjoyed watching golf, football, and his favorite baseball team, the New York Yankees, on television. Above all else, Don relished the time he spent with his loving family.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his two sisters, Lois Patterson and Virginia Patterson Truluck, both of Delaware City; and his brother, George W. Patterson of New Castle.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Mary June (Costango) Patterson; his two children, Elizabeth D. Lisa Patterson Rial and Joseph S. Joe Patterson, of Delaware City; his much loved grandchildren, Stuart L. Stu Rial of Philadelphia and Katherine E. Kate Rial of Airlie Beach, Australia; sister, Charlene A. Hendrix and her husband, John of New Castle; three sisters-in-law, Theresa Costango and Jeannie Costango, both of Middleburg, FL and Shirley Costango of Tallahassee, FL; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A committal service will be held at 10 am on Wednesday morning, March 15, 2017 in the chapel of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Rd., Bear, DE. Interment will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Delaware City American Legion, Robert Taylor Post 13, P.O. Box 277, Delaware City, DE 19706 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market Street, Ste. 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

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21 Condolences for Lewis Donald Patterson

  • may you rest in peace don say hi to mom dad and George.we will all miss you

  • He was one great man fun to be around and he sure did love his family , we will all miss him .

  • Dear Mary June I was sorry to read about your husband’s passing I know how heartbroken you are I lost my husband Ron 18 months ago. My dad Billy Gardiner would have wanted me to send you n your family our sympathy. He loved you and I will never forget your Mom Aunt Alice. Sincerely Dottie Gardiner Ashley Clayton De

  • Our deepest sympathy to you and your family in this difficult time. God Bless You and be with you each and every day. Love Joann Atkinson-Gray and Husband William

  • So sorry for your loss Aunt Mary, Lisa, and Joe my thoughts and prayers are with you. My heart aches for all of you. Uncle Don, is in no more pain and resting peacefully in heaven with our other family members now. You will always have great memories to hold in your heart to help with the sorrow. Love Always ~ Rosetta

  • I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences to your family.

  • Mary June, Lisa and Joey my mom and I want tell you how sorry we are to hear about Don’s passing you’re in our prayers hugs and kisses Patti and Ginny finner

  • Aunt Mary, Lisa, Joey
    So sorry for you loss Gods Blessings.

  • Aunt Mary, Lisa, Joey
    So sorry for you loss Gods Blessings

    Josie sheridan/ Kirksey

  • I’m so very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all at this difficult time.

  • Dear Mary June and Joe.

    So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  • So sorry for your loss

  • Dear MaryJune, Lisa and Joey
    I’m so sorry to hear about Don, such a sweet man…Mom loved you all I know she would have wanted me to send our love and sympathy…she loved you very much…peace to you all. Love, Ronda

  • Mrs.Patterson, Lisa and Joe,
    My sincere sympathy to all of you
    with the loss of your husband and father.

  • Dear MaryJune and family,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. So sorry for your loss.
    Sincerely,
    Sue (Clark (Dick) Gardiner’s daughter) Hudson and famiily

  • Mary June, Lisa & Joe,
    We are so sorry for your loss, we have you in our thoughts and prayers. Cherish the wonderful memories of your wonderful lives together. God bless you all….

  • Mary June, Lisa, and Joe,
    So sorry for your loss,you will be in my prayers

  • My deepest condolences to the family on Don’s passing. I worked with him for a number of years at Delmarva. He was a very friendly guy with a great sense of humor. May his rest be eternally peaceful.

  • My condolences to the Patterson family

  • DEAR OLD FRIENDS MARY JUNE, LISA AND JOEY, OUR LOVE AND SYMPATHY GO OUT TO YOU. IF WE STOP TO LOOK ON HEAVEN’S SCENES, WE WILL FIND THE STREETS ARE GUARDED BY UNITED STATES MARINES. SEMPER FI DONNIE

  • Dear Mary June and family, I am so sorry for your loss….may your husband/father rest in peace forever, wrapped in the arms of the Lord. He will have great company with Bobby J. and Jimmy Maden…..♥