MELBOURNE, Fla. — Lori Linn (Eberwein) Patton, 61, passed away peacefully Thursday, Oct. 13, at her home in Melbourne, Fla., after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Lori was born Dec. 25, 1954, in Elkhart, the daughter of Robert K. and Anne M. (Lisi) Richardson.

Lori was a woman full of life and laughter. She was hardworking, supportive and always saw the maximum potential in everyone. She was loving, caring, and generous.

She loved entertaining and spending time with her family and close friends. She had a passion for her children and education.

Lori combined her two passions in life when she opened her home as a daycare provider when her children were young.

She then spent much of her adult life as a guidance counselor investing in students and their futures.

She worked in Danville, Zionsville and Indianapolis public schools.

She was a Sunday school teacher and attended Zionsville Presbyterian Church.

She also taught as an adjunct professor at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and at Butler University.

She retired with her husband, John Patton, in Melbourne, Fla., in 2014.

Lori found great success in the academic world.

She graduated from Marion High School, where she was homecoming queen her senior year and was the marching band's majorette all through school.

She also graduated from University of Notre Dame with a bachelors of arts in government, received her master of education in school counseling from Butler University and her doctorate of education in child and youth studies from Nova Southeastern University.

Lori is survived by her husband, John Patton, PhD.; children Nicki (Jeremy) Clark and David Eberwein; parents Robert K and Anne Richardson; sisters Karen Carden and Cathy DeGroote; nieces Brittan Bright, Lauren Stewart and Kathryn Rowe; nephews Garret Frey and Cole Went; her goddaughter, Angie Nunnally; former husbands, Paul Sergio and Sam Eberwein; and a number of other relatives and close friends.

A memorial mass for Lori will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour prior Thursday, Oct. 27, at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 411 W. Vistula St. Bristol, IN 46507. The Rev. Robert VanKempen will officiate.

In honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place.

A meal will follow the mass at Annunciation Hall.

After the meal, we will go in procession to St. Vincent Cemetery, in Elkhart, for the burial.

Her family kindly asks that memorials in Lori's name be given to any local cancer research group where you live.

Arrangements are under the care of Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart, where condolences may be sent to her family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.