Obituary – Patricia Leister – Carterville, IL

Patricia Leister of Carterville, IL died on Monday, November 16, 2015 at Herrin Hospital. She was 89.

Pat was born on March 19, 1926 in Christopher, IL and attended high school in Princeton, IN where she met her future husband, Col. James W. Leister (ret.).  After their marriage in 1948 they began a life in the Army which allowed Pat and her two sons, Jim and John, to live in many places both within the U.S. and internationally, but their time in Japan and Montana held some of her fondest memories.

Retirement eventually brought her to live in Corpus Christi, TX where she volunteered with the Chamber of Tourism as a member of the Sparklers organization until eventually relocating to Alma, MI.  After her husband’s passing in 2013 she returned to Southern Illinois.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, W.O. (“Runt”) and Helen Johnston, and her sister Margaret Smith.  She is survived by her two sons, six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and her beloved Golden Retriever, Andy. A celebration of life will be held at Patricia home at 505 Rushing Dr. Apartment 8 in Carterville, IL Saturday Nov. 21,2015 at 1 p.m.

Arangements were entrusted to the Gilbert Funeral Home, Christopher IL.