Mary Patricia "Patty" Nevills

June 16, 1968 - October 29, 2021

Mary Patricia “Patty” Nevills, age 53, of Savanna, IL, was taken from us far too soon. She passed on Friday, October 29, 2021, at FHN hospital, in Freeport, IL. A memorial visitation will be held from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at Law Jones Funeral Home, in Savanna. Military honors will take place at 1pm on the front lawn of the funeral home. Following the visitation and military honors, a celebration of life luncheon gathering will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Savanna. Memorials made to Patty’s family will be donated to a cause dear to Patty’s heart. Military Honors may be viewed live in Patty's group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1079902389451043/ Patty was born June 16, 1968, in Sterling, IL, the daughter of Alberto and Yolanda (Rosalez) Castaneda. She graduated from Rock Falls High School with the class of 1986. After high school, Patty enlisted in the United States Army. She and her family are, and will forever be, proud of her service to her country. After her honorable discharge from the Army, Patty attended Blackhawk Community College, earning her associates degree. Then, on one fateful day, a young man approached her at her job at Target. This man was Daniel Nevills, who days before, had been offered a suggestion by his mother, to find and approach a lovely young employee. Dan made countless laps around that Target store looking for a woman with a nametag that read “Patty,” but couldn’t find her. It wasn’t until he asked for “Patty” at the service counter, that he was informed that Patty’s name on her nametag was her legal name, “Mary”. He swiftly made his way over to “Mary” and not long after, the two of them were sitting down together, having a conversation on her break. Dan and Patty were married July 10, 1991, in Sterling, IL. They went on to have three children and enjoyed 30 wonderful years together. Patty will be forever remembered for her kind spirit and willingness to volunteer for anything and everything that she thought would help her family or her community. She was the quintessential “sports mom,” ever-present in the bleachers, and always first to offer up her time and effort to help her children excel. She cherished those days watching her kids grow and compete, always looking forward to the next game, match, or event. Her volunteering wasn’t limited to just family-related events. She regularly assisted with Toys for Tots, Goodwill drives, and Secret Santa projects. Most of these endeavors were done with her faithful friends (and she was blessed with many) at her side. One such group of friends, known to themselves as “MAPLE” (an acronym made up of the first letter of each of their respective names), comprised of Patty and four ladies who all attended high school together, routinely made time to meet for fun day trips, and the occasional vacation. Patty loved you ladies and was always so thankful for her relationship with each of you, as well as all those in her community that touched her life in so many ways. In her free time she enjoyed crafting and sewing; but even these interests were centered around those she loved. She would craft blankets, quilts, jewelry, and even hooded towels, all with the purpose of making someone else’s life a little happier, brighter, and cozier. Patty will be dearly missed by her husband, Dan Nevills; children, Paige (John) Gonzalez, of Sterling, IL, Payton Nevills, of San Marcos, CA, and Briar Nevills, of Savanna, IL; parents, Alberto and Yolanda Castaneda; brother, Raul (Ivy) Castaneda, of Sterling, IL; sisters, Stacey (Todd) Felder, of Sterling, IL and Jennifer (Roosevelt) Hamlin, of Morris, IL; father-in-law, Richard Nevills, of LeClaire, IA; and a huge extended family and many friends. Patty is preceded in death by her aunts, Diane Sanchez, Alma Boyer, Maria Apperson, and Grace Jones; mother-in-law, Paula Nevills, and uncle, Cheech Rosalez.