MOONEY, Patrick & Sharon

MOONEY, SULLIVAN, PETTY, KREISCHER, KARLOVITZ, SHRADER, JOHNSON, TEDFORD, WHITACKER

Posted By: Nettie Mae (email)
Date: 6/7/2024 at 10:30:47

Clinton Herald

Patrick "Pat" Mooney, 80, and Sharon Mooney, 81, a devoted couple whose love and kindness touched many lives, passed away following a car accident on May 5 and May 10, respectively. They had been married for nearly 55 years and resided in Clinton, Iowa, for 52 of those years.

Patrick Frances Mooney was born on October 19, 1943, in Evansville, Indiana, to Frances and Mary Jo (Sullivan) Mooney. Sharon Sue (Petty) Mooney was born on April 3, 1943, in Roselle, Illinois, to Joseph and Phyllis (Kreischer) Petty.

Pat and Sharon met while attending graduate school at Southern Illinois University, where they both earned their Master's degrees in Special Education. Pat dedicated nearly 30 years to teaching at Clinton High School, where he was instrumental in implementing a school-to-work training program for special education students. Sharon provided homebound instruction for students who couldn't attend school. Both were passionate advocates for people with disabilities and those who were voiceless, excluded, or misunderstood.

Pat was a beloved father, grandfather, teacher, artist, volunteer, and friend. He was filled with joy, humor, and a love for conversation.. He never met a stranger and cherished the people in his community. Sharon was a wonderful mother, grandmother, aunt, a talented artist, gardener, cook, and a loving homemaker. She was the kindest, warmest friend, cared deeply for her community; she loved nature, especially birds, and spent five decades tending to her beautiful garden alongside Pat.

Their dedication to the arts was evident through their involvement with the Clinton Art Association for over 50 years, with Pat especially active in the River Arts Center and Rainbow Pottery. Pat was a talented potter and Sharon was a talented artist and focused her art on making dolls. Throughout their lives, they were deeply involved in their community - active members of the Clinton County Democratic Party and Zion Lutheran Church, previously members of Immanuel Lutheran, Prince of Peace Catholic Church, and St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

They are survived by their children: Shawn (Emma Karlovitz) Mooney of Boulder, Colorado; David Mooney of Davenport, Iowa; and Laura (Stephen Shrader) Johnson of Anacortes, Washington; five grandchildren, Devin, Spencer, Jeremy, Bryce, and TJ; Patrick's sister Joanna (Larry) Tedford of Indianapolis Indiana; Sharon's brother Joseph (Lynda) Petty of Saugatuck, Michigan; and adored niece, Alyx Whitacker of Amana, Iowa. They were preceded in death by their parents and Pat's siblings, Mike, Suzy, and Mark, as well as Sharon's brother, Anthony.

A joint memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5, at Zion Lutheran Church in Clinton, IA. The family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at the church. Following the memorial service, a Garden Gathering will be hosted at their home, 424 30th Ave. N., from 4:00-6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Clinton Art Association.