Patricia "Patty" Searcy

GRAVESIDE SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT NOON, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2018, AT SAN CARLO CEMETERY IN HERRIN, WITH FR. RICHARD MOHR OFFICIATING. 

Patricia "Patty" Ann Searcy, 69, and Cpt. Charles William "Bill" Searcy, 72, both of Carterville, passed away on September 5, 2017, in Jacksonburg, West Virginia. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 16, 2017, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Carterville, with Msgr. Kenneth Schaefer officiating. Memorial visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m., Friday, September 15, 2017, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville. Donations may be made to the Pat Searcy Memorial Fountain and Garden to be located at the Anne West Lindsey Library in Carterville. Pat was a faithful volunteer and member of the library board, recently serving as secretary. She was a devoted educator, reader, and an avid gardener who loved nature. Additional donations may be made to Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Carterville; Carterville Rotary/Honor Wreaths; or to P.A.W.S. in Anna. Patty was born on July 2, 1948, in Herrin, to Peter Michael and Gladys Catherine (Mical) Vinsavage. She married Bill Searcy on July 15, 1972, in Herrin. Together they shared 45 wonderful years. She is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, Scott William and Alison Searcy of New York City and James David Searcy of Herrin; the light of her life, her grandson, Connor William Coen Searcy; sisters, Rosemary "Cookey" (Vinsavage) and Sim Flora of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Susan (Vinsavage) and Charles Vollmer of Festus, Missouri, and Gladys "Mickey" (Vinsavage) McCowen of Nashville, Tennessee; uncles, Fred Mical of Lewes, Delaware and Frank and Gena Mical of Salisbury, Massachusetts; mother-in-law, Mary Ellen Searcy; special cousins, Tony Vinsavich of Centreville, Virginia, and Stephen Vinsavich of Birmingham, Alabama; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. Patty was preceded in death by her parents. Her husband, Bill Searcy, and beloved dog, Sam, joined her in death on September 5, 2017. She had a passion for education and retired after 32 years as a teacher from Carbondale District 95 Lincoln Junior High School. Patty taught Language Arts, Social Studies and Drama.  She was the co-sponsor of the Beta Club, volunteered at Lewis School and served on the selection committee for the Rebecca Caudill award. Patty was an active member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Carterville where she served in the choir and also as organist.  Always the teacher, Patty also taught Confirmation classes to the parish students. She was involved with many community organizations and events including but not limited to: serving on the Anne West Lindsey Library Board, hosting Rotary Exchange students, and working at the after school program at First United Methodist Church. She had a love of animals which was shown by her dedication in monitoring all the Blue Bird houses on Crab Orchard Golf Course. Patty also enjoyed history and researching genealogy.

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