Patricia J. Carlton

Patricia (“Patty”) J. Carlton, age 92, of Clinton, Mich., passed away on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born in Manchester, Mich., on May 5, 1933 to George and Elnora Brooks. She started Country School when she was just 4 years old and graduated from Clinton High School in 1949. She attended Eastern Michigan University and worked at State Savings Bank of Clinton before marrying her high school sweetheart, Thomas (“Tom”) W. Carlton, on December 9, 1951.

Patty and Tom had three sons together and were dairy farmers side by side for 60 years. Patty raised thousands of calves, baled hay and could drive any tractor on the farm. She loved working outside and felt it brought her closer to God. She enjoyed watching their three sons participate in sports at Clinton High School when she wasn’t hard at work on the farm. She was fiercely competitive and especially hated to lose a hand of euchre.

She was loved and will be missed by her husband, Tom; her son, Bruce, his wife Stephanie and their three children, Ben, Matt and Megan; her son, Mark, his wife, Carolyn, and their daughter, Lauren; and her son, Terry, his wife, Sara, and their daughters Ashley, Kelsey and Carrigan. She is also survived by her sister, Shirley Krzyzaniak; her sister-in-law, Mary Margaret Brooks; and 16 great-grandchildren whom she loved and adored. Along with her parents, Patty was preceded in death by her brother, Roger and sister, Marilyn.

A visitation was held on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m., followed immediately by a funeral service, officiated by Pastor Matt Carlton and Rev. Dave Bucholtz, at 3 p.m., at West Adrian Community Church located at 4545 Wolf Creek Hwy., Adrian, Mich. Burial was private in Riverside Cemetery, Clinton, Mich. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Hospice of Lenawee, 1903 Wolf Creek Hwy., Adrian, MI, 49221.  Arrangements were under the care of the Clinton Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be made to the family at handlerfuneralhomes.com.