John M. Paden, 86

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John M. Paden, 86, of Hillsboro, died on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, at 9:37 a.m. at his residence.

Visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bass Patton Dean Funeral Home in Hillsboro. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Aug. 7, beginning at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Matt Ferguson, pastor of Hillsboro Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro, officiating. Burial will be held at St. Agnes Cemetery in Hillsboro. Military rites will be conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense and American Legion Post 425.

Mr. Paden was born Aug. 22, 1934, in Hillsboro, to Albert “Bert” and Pansy (Myers) Paden. He married Patty Chaudoin on June 16, 1962, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Hillsboro, and she survives.

A lifelong Hillsboro resident, he graduated from Hillsboro High School with the class of 1952. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. 

Mr. Paden attended OCS Training for the Army and served his country in the National Guard for 34-and-a-half years before retiring as a brigadier general. He also worked as a soil conservationist and farmer.

He was a member of Hillsboro Presbyterian Church, Hillsboro Moose Lodge, Federal and State National Guard Association, Litchfield American Legion, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, Farm Bureau and the Veterans Affairs Memorial Committee.

Mr. Paden loved to hunt and trap shoot, mushroom hunt, and enjoyed reading and working. He also loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Tracy (husband Lonnie) Bruce and Scott (wife Stephanie) Paden, both of Hillsboro; six grandchildren, Chelsey (husband Ross) Lamb, Becca Bruce, Gianna (husband David) Weyers, Drew Paden, Nick Bruce and Drake Paden; and great-grandchild, Kellen Lamm.

Mr. Paden was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Carl Paden, Glenn Paden and Bonnie J. Van Meter.

Memorials may be directed to Hillsboro Presbyterian Church, Montgomery County Cancer Association or McCord’s Cemetery.

Online condolences to the family may be left at www.basspattondeanfh.com.