Patricia Lavern Wheitner of Ontario passed away Wednesday morning, September 30, 2026, at Avita Health System-Ontario Hospital. She was 81 years old.
Patty was born on December 12, 1944, in Mansfield, Ohio, one of ten children of the late Jay and Sophia (Schelk) Brinley. She graduated from Mansfield Senior High School with the Class of 1962 and lived in Mansfield her entire life. Throughout her working career she was employed at Swan Cleaners, H.B. Electric and Therm-O-Disc. She attended St. Paul Lutheran Church—now Hope Lutheran Church—where she sang in the choir, served on several committees and was a Sunday school teacher.
Pat was a giving woman who volunteered countless hours with Ohio Reads, various food pantries, the Salvation Army, and Toy Time. In her free time, she enjoyed sewing and created many projects too numerous to mention. Patty had a diverse collection of her favorite subject—pigs. She will be lovingly remembered as a kind, caring and compassionate woman who devoted her life to serving others.
Patty is survived by a son, Thomas (Anita) Wheitner of Shelby, OH; four grandchildren, Emellia (James) Jones, Geordan T. Wheitner, Austin Clagg and Melinda (David) Baugh; four great-grandchildren, William Jones, Elaina Jones, Lyllean Booker and David Baugh, Jr.; a sister, Doris Gillum; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth A. Wheitner on November 4, 2019; daughter, Joyce (Jerry) Wiltrout of Mesa, AZ; two sisters, JoAnn Whisler and Glenda Phipps; and six brothers, Jay Earl Brinley, Stanley Brinley, Roy Brinley, Dale Brinley, Keith Brinley and Russell Brinley.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Wappner Funeral Directors and Crematory-Ontario, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday, October 7, at 10:00 am with additional visitation beginning at 9:00 am. She will be laid to rest in Mansfield Memorial Park beside her husband.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Hope Lutheran Church.
Words of condolence may be expressed at www.wappner.com
Funeral Home: Wappner Funeral Directors and Crematory-Ontario
Website: www.wappner-ontario.com