Patricia “Pats” Christine (Atcherson) Neller 1917 - 2009

Patricia in front with (L-R) daughter Shari, husband Jim, daughters Patricia and Leigh.

Born: March 17, 1917 in Clairton, Pennsylvania

Died: September 1, 2009 in Coronado, California. Cremated, her ashes will rest at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma.

Spouse: Dr. James Locke Neller M.D.

Children: Patricia Noel (Neller) Deardorff

Shari Beata (Neller) Starrett, PhD.

Leigh Locke (Neller) Weesner

For more information on children, please see husband James’ page.

Father’s name: Ralph Willard Homer Atcherson, likely married November 1, 1902, eventually separated, but never divorced.

Mother’s name: Ingeborg Christine (Peterson) Atcherson, born October 24, 1877 in St. Louis, Missouri and died in the Los Angeles, California area in October of 1872.

Mother Ingeborg’s parents are:

Neils Mortensen S. Peterson, born in Denmark on November 5, probably 1851.

Beata “Bettie” Ingeborg Peterson, born in Sweden, probably 1853.

Mother Ingeborg’s siblings are: Inger Marrie (b. 1876), Betsy (b. 1879- d. 1880), Peter C. (b. 1880), Carli and Neils (both born after 1880).

Mother Ingeborg family, according to the 1880 census:

Neils’ parents were both from Denmark and he was a Laborer.

Beata’s parents were both from Sweden.

A laborer named Andrew Japeu also lived in the household.

1880 US Census page 370A, 24^th Ward, 228 Precinct, St. Louis city, St. Louis county, Missouri.

And Missouri’s Vital Records has Neils Peterson of St. Louis having died of Carbolic Acid Poisoning, likely a suicide, on March 26, 1908. I have not determined if this is the same Neils of our family.

Father Ralph’s parents are James William Atcherson and Emma Isadora Gaines or Saines. I have pieced together the following based on additional information from Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio:

1- William Atcherson marries unknown

2- James Homer Atcherson (1825-1897 marries unknown

3- James W. Atcherson (b. abt 1850) marries Emma Isadora Saines (1850-1924)

4- James William E. Atcherson (1871-1906)

4- Ralph Willard Homer Atcherson marries Ingeborg Paeterson (1877-1972)

5- Patricia Atcherson marries Dr. James Locke Neller MD

4- Winifred M. Atcherson (1886-1887)

3- Harriet M. Atcherson (1850-1914) marries surname Dent

3- Mary Emma Atcherson (1861-1929) marries surname Ayers

2- Mary W. Atcherson (1833-1895) marries surname Conrad

2- Winsor Atcherson marries ?

3- Winsor Atcherson Jr. (1856-1938) likely marries Susie T. (Barker) Atcherson (1858-1884) and likely had a son named Horatio Atcherson. This son marries unknown woman and have a son Horation S. Atcherson who died less than 1 yo in 1896.

3- Alfred Atcherson (1865-1940) likely marries Charlotte Ray (Sherbrooke) Atcherson (1870-1960)

3- Ida May Atcherson (1870-1882)

Also found at Green Lawn are Eddie Atcherson and Hattiet Atcherson, but there is no further information about them.

Social Security Death Index has an Emma Atcherson, born August 8, 1883 and died May of 1976 with an Ohio residence. Possibly an unmarried daughter of James and Emma?

Missouri has a Death Record for a John W. Atcherson (1890-1947), who has a son named Johnnie P. Atcherson. John W. was the son of William Atcherson and Stella (Placher) Atcherson. It would make some sense if they are linked Alfred and Charlotte.

The extended family of Patricia Atcherson and Dr. James Locke Neller.

Kneeling front row, from left: Scott Deardorff, Jamie Deardorff, Patricia Neller, Susan Deardorff, Leigh Weesner, and Ella Deardorff.

Middle row, from left; Dustin W. Deardorff, Emma Deardorff, R. Briggs Deardorff, Tiffany Butler, Dane Butler, Leslie Deardorff.

Back row, from left: Locke Weeser, Ben Butler, McKenna Butler, Inga Starrett, Casey Starrett, Patti Deardorff, Jim Neller, Shari Starrett, and Wes Weesner.

Patricia A. Neller passed away at age 92 of natural causes Sept. 1. She was a highly respected and much-loved lady throughout her sparkling life and will have a secure place in the minds and the hearts of the many friends and family who adored her.

Patricia, Pats, was born in Clairton, Penn. She attended DePauw University, then graduated from the University of Wisconsin with an English major. She married James Locke Neller of Appleton, Wis. in 1938 and spent the next 71 years with him throughout his Harvard Medical School education, five-year postgraduate surgical training, World War II service, 40-year consulting surgical practice in Los Angeles and 20-year retirement in Coronado.

She was active in many organizations in the Los Angeles area where she resided for 42 years. She and her husband Jim moved to Coronado in 1989. She was active in the Republican Women's Club and both garden clubs, where she shared her expertise in the fine art of bonsai. She won numerous awards at the Coronado Flower Show for her special trees. She was an avid bridge player enjoying playing with many different groups and making lasting friendships. She was also an incredible artist, making collage and assemblages on every theme imaginable. Her love for animals and the inspiring beauty of nature was deep and will continue on in the hearts of all of us. Her charming sense of humor and precious smile will last forever.

She is survived by her husband Dr. James Neller of Coronado; and their three daughters Patricia Neller Deardorff of Santa Barbara; Shari Neller Starrett of Fullerton; and Leigh Neller Weesner and her husband Wes Weesner of Coronado; seven grandchildren, Scott Deardorff and his wife Leslie of Santa Barbara; Jamie Deardorff and his wife Susan of Santa Barbara; Billy Deardorff of Santa Barbara; Casey Starrett of Valley Center; Inga Starrett and her husband Tim Briggs of Reno, Nevada; Locke Weesner of Sunset Beach; and Tiffany Weesner Butler of Temecula; and eight grandchildren, Briggs Deardorff; Emma Deardorff; Dustin Deardorff; Ella Deardorff; Dane Butler; McKenna Butler; Alexander Starrett Briggs; and Anika Starrett Briggs.

Her ashes will rest at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma. There will be no service.

Photos courtesy of Patricia Deardorff.

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