Obituary of Patricia Baxter

Patricia (Hartstein) Baxter, 70, of Niles, passed away at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, after a brief battle with cancer. She was born on March 18, 1947 in Niles, Michigan to the late William F. and Vivian V. (Pfeifer) Hartstein. On December 7, 1963 Patricia married Richard J. Baxter and the couple raised three boys; they were reunited after a few years of being divorced and remained constant companions. Patricia worked for over twenty-five years for CANA Industries in Elkhart. She always enjoyed quiet days fishing, spending time in her garden, tending to her flowers and getting together to play cards and bingo with her family. She loved stock car racing and spent many days at the South Bend Motor Speedway. Patricia loved being a mother and grandmother; from the time she was a teenager she opened her heart and her house to so many. Patricia always looked forward to having family gatherings. Patricia was preceded in death by her father and step-mother, William F. II (Loretta) Hartstein and her mother, Vivian V. Hartstein. She is survived by her former husband, Richard J. Baxter of Niles, her sons; Steve (Ruthanna) Baxter of Niles, Rich (Abby) Baxter of Niles and Mark (Christa) Baxter of Westfield, Indiana, four grandchildren; Crystal (Terry) Mead, Steffanie Baxter, Dustin and Nick Baxter, six great-grandchildren, siblings; Sharon Bryers of Niles, Lynn (Lonnie) Langston of Carmel, Indiana, William III (Charlene) Hartstein of Niles, Bryan Hartstein of South Bend, Randy Hartstein of Carmel, Indiana and Cindy (John) Pardy of Buchanan, as well as many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at Brown Funeral Home on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. with a time of visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Riley's Children Hospital, 705 Riley Hospital Dr., Indianapolis, Indiana 46202. The family would like to invite all of Patricia's family and friends to a potluck at Franklin Woods Clubhouse, 1950 S. Thirteenth Street in Niles, following the services.