Patricia Jane (Marble) Smith Claypool

Patricia Jane (Marble) Smith Claypool, 89, of Danville, Illinois passed away on January 7, 2025 at Fountain Springs in Covington, Indiana.

Pat was born on September 10, 1935 in Danville, the daughter of Floyd and G. Irene (Fox) Marble. She married Robert E. Smith on December 27, 1955, and he preceded her in death on December 31, 2008. In 2011, she married Donald H. Claypool. He passed away in 2017.

Robert and Pat were blessed with three daughters: Gayle Silkwood Defenbaugh of Danville, Reta (Rick) James of Danville, and Pam (Jim) Landis also of Danville. They also considered Marvin Lamm as their “adopted son”. Grandchildren include Jeffrey (Mary) Silkwood, Kimberly (Chase) Pittman, Kari (Dustin) DeNeal, April (Brett) Kuras, Ashley (Devon) Meadows, Daniel Feezor, Jason (Kristen) Landis, and Jennifer Landis. Step-grandchildren are Christopher (Jessica) Landis, Tammy McMichael, Nicole (Lance) Wolfe, and Chad (Emily) Defenbaugh. Pat also enjoyed 30 great-grandchildren. She is survived by her younger brother, Phillip (Bonnie) Marble.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Robert, and her 2nd husband, Don. Two of her brothers preceded her in death: Bobby Marble (infant) and her older brother, James Marble. One infant grandson, Ryan Feezor, also preceded her in death.

Pat was a member of the Second Church of Christ in Danville. She became a charter member of the Illiana Genealogical and Historical Society of Danville in 1964 and authored several history and genealogy books. She was the family historian and compiled volumes of research for Smith and Marble sides of the family. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Newell Township Historical Society. She was the pianist and organist at Walnut Corner Church of Christ where she and her family attended for many years. Pat spent much of her life teaching Sunday School and leading ladies’ Bible studies as well as serving as a speaker at the Christian Women’s Club. Among her many interests and talents, Pat enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting, cake decorating, traveling, and writing.

Pat’s family wants to extend a special thank-you to the caregivers at the memory care facility who embraced her with love and respect giving her “moments of joy” in her final months of life on earth.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, Illinois, 3940 N Vermilion St. Danville, IL 61834. Dr. Dale DeNeal will officiate. Burial will be in Walnut Corner Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday, January 10, 2025 at the funeral home from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.

Memorials may be made in Pat’s memory to Newell Township Historical Society or the Illiana Genealogical and Historical Society.

Please join Pat’s family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com .