Patricia "Pat" Elmore

GREENFIELD – Mayor Patricia Carolyn (Conner) Elmore, known to most as Pat, age 87, of Greenfield, passed away Monday, July 3, 2023, at Hancock Regional Hospital. She was born in Anderson, Indiana on October 30, 1935, to Kenneth Conner and Vivian Louise (Wells) Basey. She graduated from Morristown High School in 1953, and recently attended her 70th high school reunion. She went on to attend Central Business College in Indianapolis. On August 14, 1954, Pat married D. Edward Elmore in Fountaintown, Indiana. Pat and Ed were always supportive of each other in their professional lives as well as in raising a wonderful family. They were happily married for 37 years until Ed’s death in 1991. After graduating from high school, Pat worked for 10 years as a secretary for Dr. Frank Gossett and Dr. Don Gard at Eli Lilly while attending Central Business College at night. While on maternity leave, Pat was asked to get involved in the mayoral campaign for Berry Hurley. She was so bashful she volunteered only to address envelopes and fold letters. Mayor Hurley appointed Pat to be the head of the City of Greenfield Utility Department. At this time, Pat developed a life-long philosophy to “WORK TOGETHER FOR OTHERS,” a philosophy she maintained throughout her lifetime. After three years as head of the utility department, Pat was asked to run for a county office. At first, she said no, because she felt she was too shy, and she believed that politicians always had a bad name. Her husband, Ed, encouraged her to accept this challenge to prove to herself and to others that one did not have to be dishonest to be in public office. He promised he would take care of the children so that she could go out and campaign. Pat chose to run for Clerk of the Circuit Court because up to that time, that position had never been held by a woman in Hancock County. Pat received more votes than any other candidate, an achievement she was often able to repeat throughout her career in political office. She served in this position for eight years, being the term limit of this office. She was then appointed by the Hancock County Commissioners to be the head of the Comprehensive Education and Training Act (CETA), a federally funded program designed to help increase employment opportunities by offering job experience and public service programs. Pat then ran for Clerk-Treasurer for the City of Greenfield, a position which included receiving and dispersing all monies for the City, and keeping records of city council and board of public works meetings, filing ordinances, and processing payroll for more than 160 employees. She played the primary role in selecting and implementing a new computer-based accounting and financial management system, bringing the City of Greenfield into the computer age. She was an outstanding example of financial integrity at the highest level. Her expertise helped the City cut costs related to insurance, purchasing, personnel, and other areas of operation. She always treated the taxpayers’ money as she would have treated her own and encouraged others to do the same. Pat held this position for 20 years, working alongside Mayor Keith McClarnon, the city council, the city department heads, and city employees. Her position as Clerk-Treasurer allowed her to perform marriages, a ceremony she felt particularly honored to do when asked. She was always willing to go to any location in Hancock County where a couple might want to hold their ceremony. Wedding ceremonies often took place in her own backyard where she always had such a variety of beautiful flowers. In her daily activities, she often met people whom she had married and was particularly proud to hear of their success stories. Pat also worked for 10 years several evenings a week and on weekends, at Things Remembered at Washington Square Shopping Center while Ed was receiving treatments for the cancer which would eventually take his life. This was in addition to fulfilling her daily obligations as Clerk-Treasurer for the City and helped with mounting expenses during Ed’s illness. When Pat was working at Things Remembered, she was fortunate that her mother, Louise, worked at the Carmel Corn store opposite the Things Remembered kiosk. At a time when Pat still had children at home, a full time and demanding job, a very ill husband, and a part time job, Pat and her mother appreciated the opportunity to be near to each other, while performing their duties. In 1995, Pat decided to run for the office of Mayor of the City of Greenfield. She was elected, once again leading the ticket and took office on January 1, 1996. She still holds the distinction of being the only female Mayor of the City of Greenfield. Pat said this position was the most time-consuming job she had ever held. She was proud to be a part of the growth and development of the city, including the establishment of a city cable station enabling citizens to view public meetings at home; increasing public parking opportunities with the purchase of the Harvest Market site, and the continuation of a close relationship with Greenfield’s sister city, Kakuda, Japan. She was very excited to visit Kakuda during her term as mayor, and returned for a second visit a few years later as a chaperone with the Sister Cities program. After completing her term as mayor, Pat became Supervisor of the Indiana State Senate Telephone Center during each legislative session from 2000 until her retirement in 2014. Pat was proud that she had worked 36 years in the political system at city, county, state, and federal levels. Awards and recognitions: Pat was recipient of many awards and recognitions, including but not limited to: Outstanding Clerk of the Circuit Court in Indiana, Outstanding Republican Woman of Hancock County by Governors Robert Orr and Mitch Daniels, Outstanding Citizen Employee Award, the Grand Cross of Color/International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, Certified Municipal Clerk, Who’s Who in American Business Leaders, Who’s Who Worldwide, International Directory of Distinguished Leadership, Kiwanian of the Year, United Way Citizen of the Year, and Older Hoosier Award for Volunteerism. Elmore among 1st clerk school grads: While Clerk-Treasurer, Pat was one of only 13 members in the first class to graduate from the Indiana Municipal Clerks Institute. This institute is part of Ball State University’s School of Continuing Education and the Indiana League of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers (ILMCT). Pat took it upon herself to ensure that not just she, but every Clerk-Treasurer in the State of Indiana should receive the training needed to fulfill their responsibilities at the highest level of accuracy and efficiency. Pat’s dedication and contributions to this program, now commonly known as Clerk-Treasurer’s School, was honored by the ILMCT upon the completion of her final year as Clerk-Treasurer, when she was designated an honorary lifetime member of the League. The Patricia Elmore Center: Pat had a vision to create a community center that would bring the youth and the senior citizens of the community together in one place. The center would also serve as the offices for the Department of Parks and Recreation. Opened in 2001, The Patricia Elmore Center continues to this day to fulfill Pat’s vision. The Elmore Center is a focal point in the community for people of all ages, from small children who attend pre-school programs, the ever-popular Kids’ Kamp Summer Program, to Senior Citizens who frequent the facility for social gatherings, bridge, computer technology classes, and physical enrichment. Pat was thrilled to learn that the city was going to honor her in this way and allow her vision to become a reality for future generations to enjoy. Sagamore of the Wabash: On March 20, 2009, Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman, representing Governor Mitch Daniels, presented Pat the highest award of the State of Indiana in recognition of her humanity, friendship, loyalty, wisdom, and inspiration in leadership. Pat treasured this award as recognition of her philosophy to reach out and help others whenever possible. Pat said when she received the award, “To have gotten the Sagamore of the Wabash, I feel like I have accomplished my goal.” Memberships: Pat was a long time member of the Greenfield Christian Church where she served as an Elder, a Deacon, and enjoyed helping with Vacation Bible School; and of The Order of Eastern Star in the Morristown and Eden Chapters for over 66 years, and served as Past Worthy Matron. In addition, she was active within the Republican Party, the Hancock County Republican Women’s Group; Kiwanis; the Hancock County Memorial Hospital Foundation Board; Greenfield Chamber of Commerce; the Girl Scouts of Indiana; Indiana Mayors’ Association; the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns; the International Institute of Clerks and Treasurers; the Board Commissioners on the Indiana Municipal Power Agency, the Advisory Board of Ball State University Continuing Education, and the Springhurst Health Campus Board, as well as many others organizations not mentioned here. Volunteering: She frequently volunteered at Hancock Regional Hospital, and at Harris Elementary, assisting her daughter Becky Rea in her first grade classroom; Meals on Wheels, Mental Health, Senior Citizens, and the Hancock County Senior Services, the Hancock Memorial Hospital Foundation, the Hancock County Council for Economic Development, served as a GOP precinct committeeman for over 50 years, and the Absentee Voter Board, registering shut-ins to ensure the ability to vote. Most recently she volunteered at the Kenneth Butler Soup Kitchen. Amazingly, Pat still had free time. She enjoyed crocheting, traveling and going on cruises. She was an avid gardener and relaxed while tending her flowers, and enjoyed being creative with crafts. She loved celebrating birthdays and special events with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and those of close friends. Pat loved family vacations and cherished time spent with her family and friends. Pat always wanted people to love Greenfield as much as she did. She enjoyed actively welcoming new residents in the neighborhoods where she lived. In 1957, she was instrumental in organizing a neighborhood Pinochle Club. This club was active for more than 50 years. Throughout her lifetime, Pat loved and honored her God, her church, her family, her community, her work and the opportunity to help and serve others in any way she could. Truly, she tried to live her philosophy “WORK TOGETHER FOR OTHERS” until the day she died. Pat is survived by her children, Rebecca “Becky” (Steve) Rea of Greenfield, Sherri Reeves of Florida, Lori Elmore of Greenfield, and Bryan Elmore of Coatesville, IN; grandchildren, Lyndsey (Grant) Martin, Shelbey Rea; Lisa (Chad) Gomez, Tony (Alaina) Reeves, Jessica (Seth) Tadlock; Grace and Tucker Elmore; great-grandchildren, Addy, Alex, and Brady Martin; Stefan Thomas, Oren Gomez, and Skyla (Casper) McCown; Faith and Trent Reeves; Trinity and Blake Tadlock; great-great-grandchildren, Rose, Casper, and Natsu McCown; siblings, Steve (Kelley) Basey of Greenfield, Lee Conner of Florida and sister in law, Nadine Guldentops Conner of Belgium; nephew, Graeme Basey. She was preceded in death by her husband, D. Edward Elmore; son, Darrell Elmore; parents, Kenneth Conner and Louise Basey; stepfather, Bill Basey; stepmother, Frances Conner; and brother, Jerry Conner. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2023 from 2:15 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Erlewein Mortuary and Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. Prior to the visitation, an Order of the Eastern Star Service will begin at 2:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 12 noon, at Greenfield Christian Church, 23 N East St, Greenfield, IN 46140. Reverend Merlyn Winters will be officiating. Burial will follow at Park Cemetery in Greenfield. The funeral service will be available for viewing on the Greenfield Christian Church Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/greenfieldchristian.org/ During a conversation on the day before Pat died, she stated her favorite color was blue. If persons attending the viewing or the funeral feel so inclined, please feel welcome to wear anything blue in honor of Pat’s favorite color. The family would like to thank the staff at Hancock Regional Hospital, the staff in Emergency Care and the Intensive Care Unit; the staff at Springhurst Health Campus, and the firefighters of the Greenfield Fire Territory for the care, concern, and many kindnesses shown to our beloved mother. We are extremely grateful to NP Barb Pescitelli and RN Laura of Hancock Internal Medicine for taking such wonderful care of our mother over the last few years. We are indebted to the staff at Hancock County Senior Services and specifically to the Hancock Area Rural Transit (HART). Their services were of great help to our family, and with their assistance, our mother was able to maintain a great amount of independence. The drivers have always been particularly caring when they picked our mother up. Also, we would like to extend our appreciation to Mel, Sabrina and Belinda whom Pat happily greeted with a smile. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made by mail to the Greenfield Christian Church, 23 N East St, Greenfield, IN 46140; Hancock County Senior Services, 1870 Fields Blvd, Greenfield, IN 46140; Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen, 202 E Main St., Greenfield, IN 46140. Envelopes will be available at the mortuary and church. Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com.

Patricia "Pat" Elmore

October 30, 1935 - July 3, 2023