Wayne Clifton Patchett, 91, peacefully passed away surrounded by family at Homewood Health Campus in Lebanon on Thursday afternoon, June 22, 2023. He was born near Frankfort on Easter Sunday, March 27,1932, to Berna Clifton and Carrie Heffley Patchett. He was the sixth of seven children. Wayne graduated in 1951 from Michigantown High School, joined the National Guard for a couple of years, and then the Army in November 1953. He was discharged as Corporal 1st class in October 1955, having served in Korea and Hawaii.
He married Karen Arlene Timmons at the First Christian Church in Colfax on December 15, 1957 and began farming on the same place he was born. His lifelong love of farming and tractors began when he started riding as a toddler on his father’s lap and driving tractors by the age of eleven. When he was a young teenager, he won his first tractor driving contest at the Clinton County fair and he was hooked! Beginning in 1970 Wayne and his family enjoyed being a part of the National Tractor Pullers Association. Consistently placing near the top of the point standings and ultimately winning the coveted Indy Super Pull, Wayne and his tractor, “Black Beauty” were nationally recognized as a top competitor.
He owned and drove his own semi, primarily supplying ingredients to Purina Mills, after retiring from farming in 1986. Later he sold the trucking business and managed Diamond Car Wash for a few years.
Wayne was a member of the Mechanicsburg Christian Church, and American Legion Post 12, Frankfort.
An avid IU basketball fan, he loved his family and treasured time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Surviving Wayne are his beloved wife, Karen of 65 years; daughters Vicki Arlene (Brian) Hoffman, Becky Eileen (Dwain) Pitzer, Jamie Elaine (Richard) Norman; grandchildren Amy (Wes) Nicley, Brook (Debra) Bowman, Blake (Seagan) Wortley, JD (Aly) Hoffman, Carrie (Matt) Coyle, Sarah Hoffman, Ryan (Melodie) Pitzer, and step grandchildren Josh (Stephanie) Wortley, Cody Norman and Ashlea Norman; 13 great-grandchildren, 5 step great-grandchildren and 3 step great-great-grandchildren.
Preceding Wayne in death are his parents and 6 siblings, son-in-law James Wortley, and grandson Lee Clifton Hoffman.
Visitation for Mr. Patchett will be Saturday July 1, 2023 at the Mechanicsburg Christian Church, 650 W. Horton Road, Kirklin, Indiana 46050 from 9-11 a.m. with the service beginning at 11 a.m. at the church. Andrew Ramey will officiate. Burial with Military Rites, conducted by the Clinton County Honor Guard, will follow the service at Green Lawn Cemetery, Frankfort. Memorial donations in memory of Wayne may be made to the Mechanicsburg Christian Church. Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort is assisting the family. Please visit goodwinfuneralhome.com, where you may leave a condolence.