Patrick McIlhargey

After a short illness, Patrick passed away January 19 at St. Anne's Hospital in Toledo, Ohio with his wife of 51 years by his side. Born to a large, loving family, rich in Irish heritage, Patrick was 3rd of the 8 children born to John and Jessie (Mellon) McIlhargey. In 1965 he was a member of the first graduating class of Cardinal Stritch High School and then attended Bowling Green University studying art and University of Toledo studying elementary education. Patrick joined the Army in 1966 for two years, serving first in South Korea, then in Oakland, California where he met his future wife Lyne Mountaintes. They married in 1970 in Torrance, California and then returned to Toledo. He worked for the city of Toledo, first as a zookeeper in the aviary at the Toledo Zoo for six years, then for 29 years in the Toledo Water Department first as a meter reader and then retiring as a foreman. During this time he attended Penta County Joint Vocational School studying Building Construction and Remodeling Technology and participated in building a house in Lucky, Ohio. He has been a janitor for the Waterville Community Church for 23 years and has done grounds keeping and maintenance for the church. Since 1988 he has been a very dedicated member of the church, serving on the board, singing with The Master's Men's Barber Shop Singers, leading home groups with Lyne, assisting with the children's ministry, servicing many weddings and funerals held at the church, working in the food pantry and writing short devotionals in the church bulletin. Patrick will be remembered most for his love of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He loved reading the Bible and praying with people, and loved encouraging them. His favorite saying was "Only by Grace". He enjoyed biking, reading and studying Hebrew. He is survived by his wife Lyne, sons Bryan McIlhargey of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Mark McIlhargey of Largo, Florida, James (Amy) McIlhargey of Commercial Point, Ohio, his daughter Michelle Erichsen (Phil) of Fort Wayne, Indiana, his honorary son Eric Pruitt (Deanne) of Irmo, South Carolina, and his grandchildren Gabriel McIlhargey, Luca Malherios, Giovanna McIlhargey, Lyla Erichsen and Silas Erichsen. He is also survived by his sisters Maryann Pemberton (Dave), Kathy Donahue (Terry), Colleen Bury, Ann Kontur (Dave), Rita Ivan (Mike), Carmen Moore (Denny), sister-in-law Farzaneh Mader, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and brothers John McIlhargey and James McIlhargey.

Patrick McIlhargey

March 18, 1947 - January 19, 2022