Patricia Lee (Patty) Tophinke

October 16, 1948 - September 26, 2017

Patricia Lee “Patty” Tophinke, age 68 of Bowling Green, passed away September 26, 2017 at the DePaul Hospital in Bridgeton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday at the St. Clement Catholic Church in Bowling Green with Rev. Jason T. Doke, S.T.L. officiating. Burial will be held in the St. Clement Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00pm until 8:00 pm on Friday at the Bibb-Veach Funeral Home in Bowling Green. Patty was born October 16, 1948 in Louisiana, the daughter of John Bill and Nancy Gillum Edwards. She married Mark Christopher Tophinke March 27, 1965 in St. Clement. He preceded her in death March 8, 2006. Survivors include children Teresa (Kevin) Suan of Waialua, HI, Sharon Tophinke (Frank Kadlec) of Louisville, Chris (Cheryl) Tophinke of St. Clement, Janet (Michael) Lewis of Ashley and Julie Tophinke (Matt Mudd) of St. Clement; grandchildren Alexandra Tophinke, Matt Myers, Haley Myers, Kamalei Suan, Tyler Lewis, Morgan Anne Lewis and Nik James Tophinke; great granddaughter Alanah Tophinke; grand kitten Silly Kitty; sisters Vicki Skirvin of Bowling Green, Joyce Edwards of Bowling Green and Susie Edmond (Rick) of Frankford; special friend Veronica Brown. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and niece Christy Edmond. Patty grew up in Louisiana, moved to Bowling Green in1954 and graduated from Bowling Green High School. Patty married and moved to Ashley, MO where she and Mark raised their children on the family farm. She was a homemaker and later attended the University of Columbia where she graduated with her Master’s Degree in Special Education and Early Childhood Education. Patty taught school locally, retiring from Lillian Schaper School. Patty also worked many years at Ruth Jensen Village, where she was currently employed. Over the years Patty enjoyed decorating cakes for weddings and birthdays, making Christmas cookies, baking her famous coconut cream pies as well as cooking in general. Patty enjoyed her regular lunch dates with friends, especially at Bankheads. Patty was an active member of the St. Clement Catholic Church and also the ladies sodality. In addition she donated many hours to church and school activities. Over the years she was a Girl Scout and 4-H leader, member of the DAR and enjoyed her family genealogy. She was an active member of the Pike County Democratic Club. In her spare time Patty enjoyed visiting the local nursing homes and spending time with all of her grandchildren as well as traveling extensively since her retirement. Serving as pallbearers will be Marty Moss, Larry Ray Orf, Charles Hopke, Johnny Pietzman, David Tepen and Frank Kadlec. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Randy Niemeyer, Jim Tepen, Bill Schuckenbrock, Allen Salfen and Jeff Kuntz. Memorials may be made to the St. Clement School Building Fund.