Patterson - Clayton - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Clayton H, Patterson, 61, clerk for the Crawfordsville Electric Light & Power Co and former county auditor was found dead at 7:15 a.m. Saturday at the Montgomery County Sale Pavilion on North Washington St.  The death according to Dr. Samuel Millis county coroner was a suicide by hanging. He had left home a little earlier than usual, saying he had some work to do at the Sale Pavilion with which he had been connected for several years.  Patterson served as county auditor from Jan 1, 1963 until Dec 31, 1965. Both before and after that time he had been employed in the office at the light plant. He was also widely known as an auctioneer and for 25 years a basketball referee.  Early in life he was employed at RR Donnelley for 12 years. Soon after the start of WWII, he became employed at the DuPont Plant at Newport during the construction period, serving in the materials control division of the engineer’s office. While the project was operated as a munitions plant, he was employed as an expediter. For 10 years following the war, he was manager of the Evans Farms hog feeding operations. Later he was in charge of the parts room at the Indiana State Highway Garage. Born June 5, 19905 in Montgomery County he was the son of Ernest and Ola Mae Linn  Patterson and was graduated from the former Mace High School.  He was married Sept 27, 1931 to Dortha Lehman He was a member of the First Christian Church the Masonic Lodge and Optimist Club. At one time he was a director of the Boys Club. The survivors include the wife; a daughter, Mrs. Joyce Bever of Crawfordsville; two sons, James and John both of Crawfordsville; five grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. James Waling of Crawfordsville and brother, Robert Patterson of Mooresville. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Hunt & Son Funeral Home with Rev. Howard F. Miller in charge. Burial will be in the Masonic Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home. -kz