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Salina-
Fernalee “Fernie” Elizabeth Earhart, 92, of Saint Joseph,
passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026, in Salina, Oklahoma. She was born
on April 11, 1933, in Afton, Oklahoma, to Fern and Amos Neel.
Fernalee graduated from Afton High School in 1951, where she was a proud member of the marching band and girls’ basketball team. She married Ernest Patrick in 1951, and from their union, three children were born. In 1963, Fernalee and her children moved to Saint Joseph, where she called home until 2024. During this time, she worked for over 30 years at the SS Kresge Company, first at the North Belt Kmart, then at Kresge’s downtown, and finally at the South Belt Kmart. During her tenure with SS Kresge, she traveled over the Midwest opening stores for the company. Fernie did not know a stranger and was not shy about giving advice to customers and staff alike. Years after her retirement, it would not be unusual for former customers and employees to greet her by name or to refer to a time she had helped them at the store. In 1972, she married Thomas A. Earhart, who passed away in 1987.
Fernie was an amazing wife, mother, grandma, and friend; she loved her family and friends, and she spent her life making sure everyone was fed and taken care of. She was an excellent cook and baker; her holiday fudge batches will be missed forever in Mosaic ER and at multiple physicians’ offices in the area. She took an active part in anything her grandchildren were doing, whether it was attending ballgames, school, and church events, or being the grandma uber. Fernie was a member of McCarthy Baptist Church and was active in Bible Study and church efforts.
She is survived by her three children, Cherry Jolliff of Grove, OK., Jerri Robins (Joe) of Grove, OK., Wally Patrick ( Jeanie); ten grandchildren, Kyle Hume, Mary Jean Boggs, Brandy Malas, Dwain Robins, Mary Elizabeth Clinton, Ryan Sarver, Conar Patrick, Danielle Swearingin, Tommy Earhart, Ocean Robins, and Cort Patrick ; multiple great-grandchildren and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Stepfather Willie L. Neel; Earnest Patrick; Thomas Earhart; stepsons Terry Earhart, wife Betty, Danny Earhart, wife Eve; and grandson Cole N. Patrick.
A memorial service will be held for Fernie on March 1, 2026, from 1 pm to 3 pm at 1606 Commerce Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64505
The family requests that, in place of flowers, contributions be made to the Cole Patrick Memorial Scholarship Fund at Bishop LeBlond High School or a local charity of your choice.
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