Published on October 27, 2025 4:39 pm
Last Updated on October 27, 2025 4:39 pm
Patricia J. McWhorter, 93, of Effingham, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at her daughter’s home.
A celebration of Pat’s life will be held on Friday, October 31, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Home, Effingham, Illinois at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be on Thursday October 30, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Effingham. Her grandson Pastor Lucas Shelley will be officiating. Memorials may be made to EARS or Effingham County Humane Society. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com. Pat was born March 8, 1932 in Emmington, Illinois. Her parents were George and Violet (Scott) Schwermine of Effingham. She married Harvey Van Matre in 1950, they were blessed with 4 children. Later, in 1985, she married Ralph McWhorter, and her family grew even larger, as she embraced the children and grandchildren Ralph brought into her life.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Barb (Jim) Shelley of Effingham, Doug (Judy) Van Matre of Dieterich, and Denise (Danny) Parks of Mason; grandchildren, Angela Van Matre, Lucas (Marci) Shelley, Amy (Cody) Webb, Kyle (Amber) Parks, Jamie (Dan) Shelton, Jennifer (Dan Ferguson) Dowell; great-grandchildren, Joshua Hubbard, Isaiah Parks, Dylan (Sam) Van Matre, Courtney (Tyson Winterrowd) Van Matre, Hannah, Emma and Conner Shelley, Colton and Kylie Webb, Lainey and Marshall Parks, and Ava Shelton; great-great-grandchildren, Cooper and Cayson Winterrowd; Ralph’s children and grandchildren; sister-in-law, Karen Gentz; and many extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Violet (Scott) Schwermine and biological mother, Alyce (McCallen) Gentz; husbands, Harvey Van Matre and Ralph McWhorter; son, Michael Van Matre; grandsons, Michael Van Matre Jr. and Caleb Shelley; brothers, Jerry Gentz and Charles (Patricia) Gentz.
Pat’s greatest joy in life came from her family. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, always showing up with something sweet to share, maybe food or a trinket as she called them. She was happiest when she was giving and doing for others. Family gatherings were never complete without her mealtime prayer, her love, her stories and her kind, giving spirit. She also shared her faith with others, teaching many children about God during her years as a Sunday school teacher. Pat created a lifetime of memories and lessons that will be cherished forever by those who loved her most. Pat also enjoyed sharing her kindness in the community, bringing donuts or candy to brighten someone’s day — whether it was the friendly faces at her favorite pharmacy, Browns Drug Store or her veterinarian who cared for her beloved cats. She loved sharing with neighbors or getting the newspaper boy a new coat when he needed one. Pat also had a thoughtful heart for others sending cards to friends and family, always remembering birthdays, holidays, or just a simple “thinking of you.” She never met a stranger and could remember things about everyone’s family she came in contact with. Pat was never afraid of hard work from helping on the farm— caring for the animals, feeding her critters as she called it, tending to the garden and canning, push mowing the yard, or anything else that needed to be done— she took pride in everything she did. She and Harvey owned the Dixie Cream Donut shop in Centralia, Illinois for many years where she enjoyed taking care of the customers and making new friends. Pat also worked for many years in the housekeeping and laundry department at St. Anthony
Memorial Hospital in Effingham. She was a proud graduate of the class of 1950 of Effingham High School and a member of the First Baptist Church of Effingham, Illinois. Pat will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She never met a stranger and loved unconditionally. Her love, kindness, and joyful spirit will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and all the lives she has touched in her 93 years here on this earth. She leaves behind a legacy of generosity, love, kindness and faith that will never be forgotten; to know her was truly to love her. If only we could all see the world
through her eyes— full of love, kindness, compassion, and simple joy.