Mary Lou (McKirahan) Patrick 91, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2025, at her residence. Mary Lou was born to the late Ralph Jay and Ada Aleine (McMillan) McKirahan in Logan County, Ohio. She grew up in Belle Center, Ohio and graduated from Belle Center High School.
It was at Belle Center High School that she met her lifelong love, Clyde William “Bill” Patrick, during her freshman year of high school. Bill said, “I fell flat on my face in love with her”. Their first date was a daytime basketball game which her father chaperoned. Their romance continued, then became long distance after Bill enlisted in the United States Navy in 1950.
Mary Lou attended Western Union training in Crawfordsville, Indiana and worked for Western Union in Springfield, Ohio.
Mary Lou married “Bill” on February 28, 1953, in Belle Center. She then worked for Western Union in Long Beach, California until Bill was discharged from the Navy. Upon returning to Logan County they lived in Northwood in a house her father built. Mary Lou and Bill adopted their sons; Brian Jeffrey Patrick and Alan Lindsay Patrick in 1958 and 1961, respectively. Mary Lou was a devoted sister, farm wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend. She and Bill made memories over their 72-year marriage. A life of dedication to each other, they celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary together at their home despite her illness.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Brian Patrick, brothers Lee and Larry McKirahan, sisters, Betty Keeling and Charlene Marie “Charlie” Graham and grandson, David Jordan.
Over her life, she was a den mother for her sons and their fellow Cub Scouts. She was a PTA member at Hardin Northern, and part time librarian for the Hardin Northern Library. At the Walnut Grove Church she held many different volunteer roles including church office secretary, Sunday School teacher, membership secretary, and financial secretary.
She loved spending time with her siblings, Bill’s family, her nieces and nephews, and friends, especially the card club to which she and Bill belonged for over 40 years. Mary Lou enjoyed cooking and baking and was one of the most hospitable people you would ever meet. It was not unusual for her to have casseroles and desserts frozen, ready for unexpected guests. She was often found playing Scrabble, working crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and Crypto quotes, caring for plants, and researching her family’s genealogy. She also had talents for painting and playing the piano.
Left to treasure her memory and continue her legacy in addition to her husband Bill, are her beloved sister, Ruth Ann Gmyrek, son, Alan (Vicki) Patrick, grandchildren: Shaun, Lindsay, and their mother, Sandy; grandchildren; Catherine, Christine, Crystal, Richard, great grandchildren; Mia, Makala, Elijah, Joseph, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends who she loved dearly.
A celebration of Mary Lou’s life and resurrection will take place on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the Price McElroy Funeral Home with Rev. Jeff Ridenour officiating. Burial will follow at Dunkirk Cemetery. Friends and family may visit on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
Memorial donations in Mary Lou’s honor may be made to Walnut Grove Methodist Church in Kenton, Ohio.
Online condolences may be expressed at pricefh.net