PATNODE, Lee C.
of Portage, Michigan Lee passed away late Friday evening, April 27, 2012. He was born September 13, 1932 in Kalamazoo, the son of Clair and Thelma Rustenholtz Patnode. Lee was a veteran of the United States Army. On May 10, 1958, he was united in marriage to the former Katherine Winn. He was employed by The Upjohn Co. for 25 years until his retirement in 1990. Lee graduated from the University of Michigan where he earned his Master of Business Administration degree and has always been an avid U of M sports fan. Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Katherine Patnode; their four children, Debra Timothy Beebe of Portage, Diane Ken Fletcher Patnode of Bainbridge Island, WA, David Patnode of Kalamazoo and Daniel Patnode of Kalamazoo; nine grandchildren, Justin Sarah Beebe, Brandon Beebe, Cassandra Beebe, Jennifer Beebe, Maya Fletcher, Diego Fletcher, Hannah Fletcher, Nicholas Pratt and Honnah Patnode; two great-grandchildren, Ayden and Braxton; two sisters, Barbara Helmer Larson of Kalamazoo and Lillian Jim Hopper of Portage; brother, Larry Patnode of Kalamazoo; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Lee will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Avenue. Interment will follow in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park. Friends may visit with the family from 5-8 PM on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be directed to Portage United Church of Christ or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.