Patricia Eddleman

Patricia Mary French Eddleman was born on January 9, 1937 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Thomas and Mary Lyons. She was later adopted by her aunt and uncle, John and Amelia French. Growing up, she lived in Pittsburgh, Florida and Westlake, Ohio near Cleveland. She was an avid Cleveland baseball fan. She attended Western Reserve University and graduated from Purdue University in 1960 with a degree in Home Economics Education. She met the love of her life Robert (Bob) Eddleman at a Cooperative House President's Council meeting when she served as president of Shoemaker Cooperative House and he served as president of Circle Pines Cooperative House. Pat loved watching her Purdue Boilermakers play any sport – – but especially basketball and football. Attending the 2001 Rose Bowl was a highlight!


Bob and Pat moved numerous times with his career with the United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service. Pat taught home economics, kindergarten, substitute taught in numerous grades, and served in additional education roles. While Pat served as a 4-H club leader for nearly 50 years, her most significant 4-H work began in 1983 when she became the Wayne Township 4-H Director. Under her leadership, the Wayne Township 4-H program literally grew and blossomed. She touched numerous lives through after-school programming, day camps, 4-H camp at Camp Woodsmoke, Junior Leader retreats and numerous project meetings and programs. Many in the Wayne Township community would call her the “Geranium Lady.” The annual 4-H geranium sale was the fundraiser to help fund all of these great 4-H programs. Many years Pat and Bob led sales of up to 80,000 geraniums with many of the geraniums landing in their yard for a very colorful May as plants were delivered all across the township. Pat served as president of the Wayne Township Education Foundation.

Pat was honored to serve her community and young people, but she also received honors and awards for her work. She was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash and the Purdue University School of Consumer and Family Sciences Community Leadership Award. Wayne Township recognized her service with the Bart York Excellence in Leadership Award, Wayne Township Top 30 Award, and the Extra Mile Award. Pat was a member of St. Christopher Parish in Speedway where she was a Eucharistic Minister and enjoyed volunteering when called upon. Pat also volunteered with Psi Iota Xi Philanthropic sorority and the Home Economists' Guild of Indianapolis.

While Pat served her community faithfully, she cherished her role as a wife, mother, and grandmother. Bob and Pat had four daughters and she supported them in their activities, including swimming, 4-H, basketball, cheerleading, and student government. She never said no when one of the girls asked her for help. She loved her grandchildren and enjoyed watching and participating in their many activities. Everyone loved to make and decorate cookies with grandma!

Pat is preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Tom and Bobby, and her sister, Eleanor. Pat is survived by her husband, Bob, and their daughters Mary Beth Brown (Nicholas), Susan Gregory (Kevin), Julie Eddleman (Diane), and Donna Sweeney (Paul) and by her grandchildren Geoffrey Brown, Katie Brown Spurgeon (Cody), Matt and Annie Gregory, Sydney and Logan Keil, and Lizzie and Eli Sweeney.

The Eddleman family would like to extend special thanks to the caregivers at Cherished Memories at Cumberland Trace and especially Melissa Thompson Gast for providing excellent care and comfort in the last couple of years.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorial donations be made to the Wayne Township 4-H program to continue the support of 4-H in Wayne Township. Donations should be clearly marked as Wayne Township 4-H and may be sent to Wayne Township 4-H, 700 North High School Road, Indianapolis, IN 46214