Mrs. Patricia Celestine (Hall) Eldridge, 90, of Galesburg, IL passed away peacefully to return to her
Heavenly Father on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 12:10 p.m. C.T. in her home with family by her side. She
fought a long and tedious illness with bravery and sometimes tears, but always with the support and
love of her family.
Patricia was born on January 9, 1933, to the union of Frank Marcus Hall and Earlene Porter Spears in
Litchfield, Illinois during a road trip from Taylorville, IL “back home” to Kingsport, TN. The family moved
from Taylorville to Galesburg, IL when she was 2 years old. She attended Galesburg High School until
1949, when she married Caesar W.D. Greene Sr. Pat and Caesar welcomed six children from their union.
Patricia worked at what was then known as the Galesburg State Research Hospital in 1954 caring for the
residents for 4 years. She and Caesar divorced, after which, she moved to Kingsport, TN for two years to
be near relatives before returning to Galesburg and the Research Hospital. Upon her return, she met and
later married Lee Arthur Eldridge in 1964. That union produced one child.
Patricia and Lee got involved with motorcycles and eventually formed the “Rolling Stallions” club with
the assistance of the Atomic Jets out of Peoria, IL. She occasionally told stories of riding around the
United States with Lee until their divorce in 1973.
Patricia focused on raising her family and hosting family gatherings until she retired from the Galesburg
Mental Health Center. After a brief respite, Pat “un-retired” and went back to the Mental Health Center
until it closed, at which time she moved to Peoria and worked at the Zeller Mental Health Center. After
retiring from Zeller, Pat returned to Galesburg and eventually lived with and cared for her mother,
Earlene, until her passing in 2001.
Patricia’s hobbies over the years included motorcycle riding, crocheting, reading and doing puzzles. She
also had a vast library of romance and mystery novels at one point. However, few activities gave her
greater joy than playing Scrabble and being with family. In her later years, Pat enjoyed meeting friends
for breakfast and lunch to visit and get the scoop on what was happening in Galesburg.
Patricia has gone on to rejoin her mother and father, her 3 brothers, Toussaint Hall, Ronnie Hall and
Donnie Hall, and one grandson, Joseph D. Greene (“Jo Jo”). She leaves behind to cherish her memory her
children: Caesar (Joyce) W.D. Greene Jr. of Kewanee, Paul Greene of Galesburg, Susie Warner of
Galesburg, Bruce C. Greene, (Sherray) of St. Paul, MN, Markita Anderson of Galesburg, Lee A. Eldridge of
Tiffin, IA; one loving sister, Marlene Turner of Omaha, NE, and a sister-in-law/ dear friend, Freda Hall of
Galesburg.
Patricia is also survived by her 14 grandchildren: Bobby Greene, William Greene, Christopher Greene, Timothy Greene, Wilson Greene, Michaella Warner, Myneka Warner, Justus Kimbrough, Joi Greene,
Blake Anderson, Nahketah Anderson, Trelee Galloway, Brittany Galloway, and Lauryn Eldridge, 19 great-
grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family too
numerous to name.
Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 1, 2023 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Funeral services will follow at 2:30 p.m. Tony Franklin will officiate. Burial will be at East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
