Samuel C. Patrow Jr., 92 of Eau Claire died on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at Oakwood Villa in Altoona.
Sam was born on July 27, 1923 to Samuel and Cad (Peterson) Patrow in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Sam grew up and attended school in the Eau Claire area. He graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School in 1941. After high school, Sam was drafted into the Army and served in England and Scotland as an embalmer in Graves Registration. After the war, Sam worked for Union Construction Company owned by his father. Sam married Irene Joles on August 3, 1946 at Lake Street Methodist Church in Eau Claire. Sam attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, IL and graduated in 1952. After graduation from mortuary school he began his apprenticeship under William D. Smith at Stokes and Sons Funeral Home in Eau Claire. When Smith Funeral Chapel opened in 1956, Sam began working as a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer with the Smith Funeral Chapel. Sam was a dedicated employee and friend to William and Agnes Smith for over 45 years. Sam was a member of the Masonic Temple, American Legion Post 53, and VFW Post 305 for many years.
Sam is survived by Fred and Tina Joles of Eau Claire; his grandchildren, Shawn (Tami) Joles of Eau Claire, Ian Reynen of Thorp, Isiah Reynen of Eau Claire, Cassanndra (Jim) Allison of Redwood Falls, MN, Randi Joles (Shane Mahoney) of Lake Wissota; great-grandchildren, Daisy C. Giedd of Lake Wissota, Brittany Irene Horvat of Redwood Falls, MN, and William and Benjamin Joles of Eau Claire; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Sam was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Patrow; and his brothers and sisters.
Funeral services will be on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 11:00 am at Smith Funeral Chapel with Pastor Robert Hoekstra officiating. Visitation will be an hour prior to the services at the funeral home on Wednesday. Burial will follow the services at Forest Hill Cemetery with American Legion Post 53 performing military honors
I served a three month apprenticeship under Bill Smith in 1982. I enjoyed working many visitations with Sam. Always a kind thing to say, he knew 80% of the people walking through the door and he had more stories than I have memory for. He will be in my prayers.