01/18/2026
To join the livestream broadcast of Pat's funeral service, please select the link below. The livestream will begin at 3:25 P.M. Wednesday, January 21, 2026, and will be archived for 90 days following the service for later viewing.
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Patricia Ann (Preble) Mighell, age 89 years, a resident of Vienna, went to be with the Lord on Saturday evening, January 17, 2026, at 10:13 P.M. at her residence in the Autumn Ridge Supportive Living in Vienna.
Patricia, also known as Pat or Patsy to her family and friends, was born June 18, 1936 at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights, Illinois. She was the oldest daughter of Thomas Raymond Preble and Marjorie May Elinore (Druehl) Preble.
Pat’s younger years were spent in Steger, Illinois in a multigenerational home. While her parents worked she learned many life lessons, such as cooking, sewing, and gardening, and the love of flowers from her grandma, Sarah Preble. Her grandpa Preble had influences too, guiding her in the care of her 4-H animals, especially her pig “Porkey.” She also enjoyed girl scout activities for several years. Her mother was the scout leader.
She graduated in May 1956 from Bloom Township High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois. While in high school, she was a member of the archery, bowling, and roller skating teams. She assisted her father in his photography business and worked at the Montgomery-
Ward retail store. It was here she learned to wrap beautiful gift packages.
Pat attended Immanuel Lutheran Church in Steger, Illinois, where she was baptized and confirmed. Her current church membership is with Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Golconda, Illinois.
She married the love of her life, Jackie “Jack” Mighell on June 9, 1956 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chicago Heights, Illinois. To this union, 2 children were born – Judith “Judy” Anna Sullivan Murray and Thomas Dean Mighell. Pat and Jack shared 53 years of marriage, prior to his passing on February 17, 2009.
Pat drove school buses for many years for Buchanan Bus Service in Crete, Illinois. She retired from school bus driving from Vienna High School. Many former students and bus riders have lots of “Pat stories!”
When Judy and Tom were younger, Pat enjoyed being active in school activities and being a girl scout, cub scout and boy scout leader.
The family moved to Johnson County in 1971.
For many years, Pat and Jack traveled throughout the United States, Canada, and various islands, which they visited by cruise ships. There were times when Pat would include their destinations to a convention or seminar where the artist, Dorthy Dent, would instruct people to increase their perfection in painting landscapes, old barns, churches or animals. Another love of Pat’s were her flower and herb gardens, as well as watching and feeding hummingbirds and cardinals.
Pat and Jack were often referred to as “snowbirds” as they traveled to Frostproof, Florida for many years, where they wintered from October – May annually. They continued this trek to Florida until their health prevented them from traveling. While staying in Florida, Pat volunteered at Bok Tower Gardens and Bird Sanctuary in Lake Wales. Her paintings and artwork were displayed in various galleries throughout the area.
Pat is survived by: her daughter – Judy (Gary) Murray of Goreville, Illinois; granddaughters – Heather Sullivan (Jared) Thompson of Vienna, Illinois and Sarah (Luther Belcher) Sullivan of Johnston City, Illinois; great grandchildren – Harley (Caleb) Palmer of Vienna, Illinois, Hailee (Rielly Ward) McIlwain of Carrier Mills, Illinois, Nathen McIlwain of Vienna, Illinois, Ameileea Belcher and Louie Belcher both of Johnston City, Illinois; a great-great grandson – Luke Palmer of Vienna, Illinois; Brothers-in-law – Larry “Spike” (Barb) Mighell of Buncombe, Illinois and Lance “Little Feller” Mighell of Vienna, Illinois; nephews – Bart Mighell of Buncombe, Illinois, Chuck (Monica) Shoemake of Dyer, Indiana, and Bill Shoemake of Schererville, Indiana; nieces – Jennifer Mighell (Scott) King of Paducah, Kentucky and Tanya Shoemake Crema of Highland, Indiana; as well as cousins, other relatives and many dear friends. Pat was also anticipating the birth of a second great-great grandchild to be born in August 2026.
In addition to her parents and husband, Pat was preceded in death by her son, Tom, on January 30, 2018; a sister and brother-in-law – Judy Preble (Charles) Shoemake; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law – Ward (Mabel) Mighell; and a nephew – Kenneth Mighell.
A service honoring the life of Patricia Ann Mighell will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, January 21, 2026, at 3:30 P.M. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.
Burial will be in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, east of Buncombe.
Visitation will be held Wednesday afternoon, January 21, 2026, from 2 P.M. until the service hour at 3:30 P.M. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Center (Activities Fund), 1000 Galeener Street, Vienna, Illinois 62995 or to the Mt. Zion Cemetery c/o Bailey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 695, Vienna, Illinois 62995.
