Patricia Hartley
Patricia Anne Hartley passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on April 7, 2022, at Sparrow Hospice House in Lansing, MI, after losing her battle with Dementia. She was the seventh born out of nine children to William and Mary Diamond (Hough) on February 23, 1935, in Burgettstown, PA. The family moved to Michigan in 1947, when Pat was 12. She graduated from Handy High School – Bay City, MI in 1953, and began working at a magnesium plant. She also worked as a carhop at the A & W Restaurant, where she met her future husband, Bernie Hartley, the love of her life! They married on February 3, 1955, in Bay City. When Bernie got a job at Oldsmobile, they moved to Lansing. Together they raised three children, Mary, Patti and Bernie II. In 1978, they moved to Eaton Rapids, where they built their dream home. They renewed their vows in 2005, with a big wedding and celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on a Carribbean cruise with their whole family!
Pat was an amazing wife and mother who was so caring and loving. Her family meant everything to her. She was a homemaker first and foremost and an excellent cook that didn’t require a recipe. Many meals she prepared are still talked about today! As her kids grew up, became parents themselves, they realized looking back what a great mother they had been blessed with. In her later life, with the kids out of the house, Pat decided to get a job and hired in at the McDonalds in town, working with the other “seasoned” ladies on the breakfast shift. Those ladies “got the job done” and provided good food to the ER community. Pat enjoyed her time there and even continued working after Bernie retired. She made some wonderful friendships that lasted after she retired.
Pat enjoyed singing at the ER Senior Center during their monthly open-mike jam sessions, where she and Bernie sang many duets together. She also loved to dance, especially to her son’s band, Hidden Agenda, when they played at local establishments. The band dedicated many songs to her with her favorite being “Mustang Sally.” Such wonderful memories! Her hobbies included traveling, crossword puzzles, playing bingo and going to the casino. Pat and Bernie could be seen every Fourth of July, on the “Rocking Chair Deserters” float playing their music with the gang as they passed the crowds.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Albert, Kate, Del, Bill and May; infant daughter Kimberly, daughter Patti Vogel and grandson Jeffrey Hancock. She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Bernie; siblings Dudy, Shirley and Grace; daughter Mary Hancock, son Bernie Hartley II (Michelle), son in law Todd Vogel (Barb), grand/great grandchildren Julee (Chris), Natalie, Nicholas, Jesse, Olivia, Ryan, Alex and several nieces and nephews.
No words can truly express the deep sorrow felt by her family with her passing. She was and always will be the mainstay of our family. Thank you so much to family and friends for your love and support during this difficult time. Special thanks to Jon at Skinner Funeral Home for making an uncomfortable situation much easier to handle and for all the extras you are doing to make the celebration of Pat’s life so very special!
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2022, with a visitation one hour prior to service, at Skinner Funeral Home in Eaton Rapids. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Eaton Rapids Senior Center in memory of Patricia Hartley. To share memories or leave condolences please visit www.SkinnerFuneralHomes.com.