Patricia Ellen Markel, a 24-year resident of the Valley and Chewelah, WA area, passed away on July 14, 2023.   Patty was born on Nov. 10, 1955 in Columbus, OH, the daughter of John Lewis and Charlotte Ann (Leslein) Earnheart.

She was raised in Columbus, OH where she attended Northland High School and graduated in 1973.  She then continued her education at The Ohio State University.  She would later transfer to Nelsonville College where she completed her undergraduate degree in 1978 in nursing.  Patty had work experience as an LPN at the Riverside Hospital in Columbus, OH and returned there with her as a Registered Nurse.  While working, Patty worked towards her graduate degree in anesthesiology at Ohio State University.  She met a medical student by the name of Patrick Scott Markel while he was working a rotation on the Psychiatric wing.  On Sept. 5, 1981 they married at the Franklin Park Arboretum.  They moved to Toledo where while Pat finished his medical residency.  Two years later, Pat and Patty moved to Sandusky, OH where they began a family.  Patty redirected her career and became a full time Mom.  This was her passion and she loved every moment of being a mom.  She was an active community volunteer at the Paramedic Training Program in partnership with Pat's medical practice and colleagues.  She also donated her time to the local nursing homes where she offered softer moments through manicures, pedicures, and abundant TLC.  In 1999 they moved their family to Valley, WA where they could embrace a slower pace and surround themselves in outdoor adventures.  Patty had an interest in court preceding and would spectate in local courthouse trials.  This hobby introduced her to CASA and soon she was a volunteer.  Her volunteer role evolved into her accepting the director's position and running the Stevens County CASA Program for 15 years.  She shared office space with the Stevens County Coroner, Patti Hancock.  Patty had attended numerous courses in forensics and investigation while with CASA and soon began assisting in the coroner's office as a deputy coroner.  She assisted as a Deputy coroner for nearly twenty years and had recently been appointed the Chief Deputy Coroner under the Stevens County Coroner, Ramona Colvin.  In January of 2023, Patty was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and suffered a subsequent rapid decline in health.

Patty and Pat loved to travel and visited places from South America and Europe to Russia and Tahiti .  They shared their adventures as a family, especially when camping, snow skiing, hiking, fishing and spending time outdoors.  Patty also liked to garden, knit, decorate cakes and sew.  Her sewing skills lead to many Halloween costume awards to for the kids who wore her creations.  Her great pride and joy were her children and grandchildren whom she loved with once all of her being.  She loved sharing life with her husband, Pat, and telling the stories of their Psych ward introduction, her grade 5 sprained ankle honeymoon wilderness pack trip, and all of the love they poured into their children and grandchildren.

Patty was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Patrick Markel of Chewelah, WA; sons, Ryan P. Markel (Aubrey) of Chewelah, WA, Scott T. Markel (Amanda) of Post Falls, ID; daughter, Elizabeth Espinoza (Jon) of Spokane, WA; grandchildren, Allison Markel, James L. Markel, Georgia Espinoza; brother, Jon Earnheart (Barbara) of Columbus, OH; sister, Becky McLaughlin (Dr. Glen) of Clancy, MT and a host of extended family and friends.

The memorial service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at the Chewelah Baptist Church. Patricia will be laid to rest in the urn wall at the Chewelah Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be given to the Shriner's Hospital.  Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.  Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.