Dr. Daniel Nelson Patton

     Dr. Daniel Nelson Patton passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, and went to meet his Lord after a long battle with ALS. Dan was the husband of Mary Ellen (Henry) Patton, who lives in Gastonia, North Carolina, formerly from Knox, Pennsylvania. They had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

     He was born on June 20, 1956, to Henry and Helen Jean Patton. He married Mary Ellen (Henry) on September 12, 1975, and together they raised four children: Amy Marie (Thomas) Hawxwell and Mary Heather (Joshua) Eastburn, both of Gastonia, North Carolina; Lauran Danielle (Geoffrey) Tacher of Fort Myers, Florida; and Ryan Nelson Patton of Gastonia, North Carolina. Dan was the proud grandfather of six grandchildren: Dakota, Colin, and Kaden Hawxwell; Madison and Mason Eastburn; and Gabriel Patton.

     He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Nelson Patton. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen; his mother, Helen Jean Patton of North Carolina; and his brother, David Lynn Patton of Clarion, Pennsylvania.

     Dan lived in Pennsylvania for many years and worked for C & K Coal Company before moving into Christian ministry, first at Christ’s Home in Warminster, Pennsylvania, and later in Christian schools in Pennsylvania, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

     Dr. Patton was instrumental in helping several Christian schools advance their programs, including new campus development for Gaston Christian School in Gastonia, North Carolina, and Southside Christian School in the Raleigh area. Dr. Patton and his wife, Mary Ellen, enjoyed serving with faculty and staff throughout their ministry of more than 30 years together.

     Family and friends will be received from 10-11:30 a.m., Monday, November 17, 2025 at the William N. Rupert Mortuary, Inc., 430 Mendenhall Avenue, Knox. A service will follow at noon.

     Interment will follow in the Knox Union Cemetery.

     A Celebration Service will be held at Parkwood Baptist Church in Gastonia, North Carolina, at a date and time to be determined.

     Online condolences may be sent to Dan’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com

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