Patricia "Patty" Ann Bryant

To know Patty Bryant was to be part of her family. She was a force of nature, a pillar of her community, and a stranger to no one. Patty was called home to be with the Lord on Feb. 19, 2025, at the age of 86. 

Born to Clarence “Lefty” Garowski and Sarah (Mackovic) Michael on Oct. 15, 1938, Patty married her devoted husband of 68 years, Wayne Bryant, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Oct. 20, 1956. She is survived by her husband, Wayne; her children Michael (Michele) Bryant and Melissa (Brent) Richards, both of Westville; her grandchildren Matthew Bryant of Chicago, Mitchell (Celina) Bryant of Aurora, Kyle Richards, Ethan Richards, Maxwell Bryant and Evan Bryant of Westville; two great-grandchildren, Jaxson and Jordy; and two nieces, Tina Hawkins and Paula Bryant. She is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved brother-in-law Paul “Junior,” and her only granddaughter, Maggie Elizabeth. 

A 1956 graduate of Schlarman High School in Danville, Patty was a devout Catholic and loyal parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Westville where she, along with her children and grandchildren, attended St. Mary’s Catholic School. Through their shared entrepreneurial spirit, Patty and Wayne started the first of many Westville businesses with a Shell Station on Main Street. In 1961, the couple purchased 25 acres between Westville and Georgetown where they founded Bryant’s Auto Parts, now Bryant Industries, growing it to become a national fixture in the recycling industry. 

Further demonstrating her ongoing commitment to her community, Patty and Wayne purchased Sportsman Inn in 1982. Famously not a drinker herself, Patty defied the odds and grew Sportsman to become what is to this day a premier longstanding tavern in Vermilion County. Patty and Wayne also loved to travel, often cross-country with their close friends Bill and Connie Gilbreath. Patty loved to cook and was known for her parties, often hosting dozens of guests on holidays - or any given weekend! 

Above all, Patty’s greatest strength, passion and drive was the love of her husband and the family they built together. She considered motherhood and grandmotherhood a gift – one that she never took for granted. She was unshakable in her support of her family, a profoundly unselfish caretaker, and full of love in a way that lifted those around her. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10AM on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church 231 N State Street Westville, Illinois 61883. Fr. Sauppe will officiate. Interment will follow at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Westville, Illinois. Visitation will be from 4PM – 7PM on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center’s Westville-Urbas Chapel 414 S. State Street Westville, Illlinois 61883.

Donations in Patty’s honor can be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or The Children’s Heart Foundation.

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

Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center’s Westville-Urbas Chapel is honored to be caring for the family.