Patty

Patricia Sue Cleeland, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, died on January 7, 2025, at the age of 65 in Tinley Park, Illinois.

The fifth of six children of Raymond and Margaret Cleeland, Patti was born on April 8, 1959, in Columbus, Ohio. She moved with her family to Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Freehold, New Jersey; and Oak Park, Illinois, where she graduated high school.

Patti had an adventurous spirit and lived an independent life in her youth. Her love of the Rocky Mountains lured her to Colorado, where she attended the University of Colorado at Boulder. She traveled around the United States as well as in Europe and Morocco. She returned to Oak Park, living for a time as a caretaker at the historic Cheney Mansion. Patti had a lively sense of humor, which she honed while studying improvisation at The Second City in Chicago.

Patti completed her college degree at the University of Illinois, after which she brought her skills to work at the Loyola University Medical Center. She decided to move into teaching, and juggled work and raising children while obtaining her master's degree at the University of Illinois. She then enjoyed a career as an elementary school teacher, bringing her love of learning to classrooms in Lyons and Tinley Park, Illinois.

Patti was an avid Jeopardy fan and rarely missed a show. She will be remembered for her kind heart, her generous laugh, her enjoyment of books, and her love for her family.

Patti is survived by her husband of 31 years, Dan Koranek, her daughter Peggie Heathorn (Brett), her son Daniel, her sisters Cathy DeLucia (Joe), Nancy Cleeland, Teri Cleeland, and Carol Klopfenstein (Bruce), stepsister Kate Ingold (Sonny), stepmother Betty Cleeland, four grandchildren, Maizie, Maya, Hayden and Ash Heathorn, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She is predeceased by her parents, Ray and Peggy Cleeland and her brother Kevin Cleeland.

Services will be on Wednesday January 15 from 4-7 pm at Vandenberg Funeral Home, 17248 S Harlem Ave, Tinley Park, IL.

Patti will be dearly missed by all who loved her.