Patricia Jane Mares

Patricia Jane (Leonard) Mares was born on February 21, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois. Pat was the only child born to Alan and Viola (Tracy) Leonard. Growing up, she was their pride and joy.

Pat married the love of her life, Bill Mares, in 1953. In 1967, Bill and Pat with their five children, moved from Chicago to their farm in Summersville, Missouri.

Pat was an avid gardener and always looked forward to their annual gardens. She also loved crafting, playing cards and games. She worked on the farm milking cows and raising stock. After their children were mostly raised, Bill made a career change and began teaching school. In 1981 they relocated to Mountain Grove, Missouri.

Pat made many new friends in the area and she and Bill joined the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Pat and Bill were very thankful to have found their way back to the Catholic Church and were grateful for all the friendships and support from their fellow parishioners.

Through the years, Pat served as a board member of Ozark Action. She was proud of all the accomplishments this organization achieved and always looked forward to serving their causes. Pat and Bill also had a love for refurbishing cars and were members of the Route 66 Car Club. They loved helping their son, Bill, each year with the annual car show and the many friendships they made there.

Once retired, Pat and Bill were able to pursue their love of travel. If you knew them well, you knew they were always planning their next trip. On November 7, 2019, Pat and Bill celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. They had many great years together and on November 19th, 2019, Bill passed on to be with his Lord and Savior.

Besides her parents and her husband, Pat was preceded in death by a daughter, Cynthia Ann (Mares) Bashor, a grandson, Ralph Benjamin Bashor.

She is survived by a son, William George Mares III “Bill” and his wife, Beth, of Licking, Missouri, three daughters, Pat Simmons and her husband, Richard, of Wellington, Florida, Joan Morton and her husband, Kevin, of Goldsboro, North Carolina, and Pam Turner and her husband, Steven, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, eight grandchildren, Nathaniel Mares, Shawna Morton, Adam Bashor, Amanda Goetter, David Mares, Cortney Brock, Kelly Simmons, and Dalton Turner, six great-grandchildren, Collin Bashor, Jade Bashor, William Mares, Owen Bashor, Aidan Mares, and Ellie Goetter.