Patricia Barden

Patricia Sue (Menees) Barden of Zion, IL went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, July 2, 2023. She was born December 27, 1958 in Bensenville, Illinois to Charles and Dorothy Menees. She was the youngest of their children and spent her childhood growing up in Park City, IL. She graduated from Waukegan High School in 1977 and married Dennis Barden on November 11, 1978.

Dennis and Patty met at La Pagoda in North Chicago, and they were married soon after. She was young and excited to begin life together. Their first child, Eric, was born in 1980 in Illinois. A Navy sea-duty tour brought them to Honolulu, Hawaii soon after and there they welcomed their daughter, Erin, into the world in 1982. The US Navy brought them to multiple duty stations and Patty was always up for adventure. They enjoyed living and raising their children in Hawaii, Washington and Illinois. Multiple Sclerosis plagued her life and much of their world revolved around doctor visits and hospital admissions. Joyously and uniquely, however, they celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary on 11/11/11 - an event which captured the attention of the local news outfit, The Zion-Benton News, wherein they were featured with an abstract about their marriage and lives together. Most recently, Dennis and Patty celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. Though Patty was relegated to spend the last decade and more residing in nursing homes, Dennis was her primary caregiver, as he spent his days and nights visiting her and caring for her. His devotion to her life and health was a wonderful testament to their love for one another and the vows they asserted as they entered into covenant relationship with one another in 1978.

Patty was a loving, involved and devoted wife to Dennis and stay-at-home mom to her children for many years. She worked on and off as her health allowed, but her primary focus was fulfilling her roles as wife and mother. She took great joy in the last decade in being a grandmother to an increasing number of grandchildren. She thought of them and prayed for them often and soaked up every moment of their sweet visits.

Patty was a woman of great faith in Christ, trusting that He alone could and would save her from the wrath to come. She was saved as a young adult and served the Lord however she could throughout her life. She was a member first of Victory Baptist Church in Pleasant Prairie, IL and then First Baptist Church in Winthrop Harbor, IL where she met many faithful friends.

Despite severe chronic pain and debilitating health which left her homebound, wheelchair-bound and bed-bound for many years, she was joyful and a constant source of encouragement to everyone who knew her.  Her fortitude and reliance upon God for strength set her on the path to a life of thanksgiving despite her afflictions. She was a great example of joy in suffering for all to see and we all take comfort in knowing she is now pain free and with Jesus.

Patty is survived by: her husband Dennis Barden; her children Eric Barden, Erin (Darren) Baker; her sister Nancy (Menees) Ramey; her brother Gerry Menees; her grandchildren Paige, Lucas, Giuliana, Anika, Silas and many extended family members.

Patty was preceded in death by her father Charles Menees and her mother, Dorothy (Robb) Menees.

Services are scheduled to take place Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at Congdon Funeral Home in Zion, IL. Visitation will be 4-6 pm with a celebration of life service at 6 pm.

Weep Not for Me

Would you know where I am? I am at home in my Father’s house—in the mansion Jesus prepared for me there. I am where I want to be—where I have long and often desired to be. I am no longer on a stormy sea—but in a safe and quiet harbor. My working time is done—I am resting! My sowing time is done—I am reaping! My joy is as the joy of harvest!

Would you know how it is with me? I am perfect in holiness; grace is swallowed up in glory!

Would you know what I am doing? I see God; I see Him as He is; not as through a glass darkly, but face to face. The sight is transforming, it makes me like Him! I am in the sweet enjoyment of my blessed Redeemer, whom my soul loved, and for whose sake I was willing to part with all. I am here bathing myself at the spring-head of heavenly pleasures and unutterable joys; and, therefore, weep not for me. I am here singing hallelujahs incessantly to Him who sits upon the throne, and rest not day or night from praising Him!

Would you know what company I have? Blessed company—better than the best on earth; here are holy angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect. I am here with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of God; with blessed Paul, and Peter, and James, and John, and all the saints. And here I meet with many old acquaintances that I fasted and prayed with, who came here before me.

And, lastly, would you consider how long this is to continue? It is a garland that never withers; a crown of glory that never fades away; after millions of millions of ages, it will be as fresh as it is now; and, therefore, weep not for me!

-written by Matthew Henry (found after his death)

I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

-1 Corinthians 15:50-56

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

-Psalm 27:1