Patricia (Patti) R. (Fielder) Garwitz, 79, of Springfield, MO passed away peacefully on August 12, 2015 in her home. She was born November 14, 1935 in Springfield, MO to William Ernest Fielder and Ruth (Boyts) Fielder. She grew up in Springfield and graduated from Springfield High School in 1953. She married Paul Donald (Don) Garwitz on June 6, 1954. She was a devoted wife and mother and was active in many school and church activities involving her children. Once her children were all school age, she returned to college and earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She and her oldest child, Gary, graduated from SMS on the same day in December 1976. She taught at Boyd and Shady Dell Elementary Schools until her retirement in 1997. Her former students would often go out of their way to greet her and hug her when she saw them around town. She loved music and enjoyed playing the piano and could play music "by ear". She loved having her children and grandchildren over and was always willing to cook for a big crowd. Her Gammy Burgers, biscuits and gravy, and chocolate cake with chocolate icing were legendary. She loved the holidays and spoiling her family so much that Pre-Christmas became a family tradition. She and Don enjoyed retirement and took several RV vacations traveling across the United States. She grew up attending Grace United Methodist Church where she married Don. She was also very active there when her children were young, teaching Vacation Bible School and directing the Children's Choir for several years. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband Don. She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Gary and Karen Garwitz, Pat Allen, Gina and Mike Engleman, and Jennifer and Mitch Martin, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her beloved brother William (Bill) Fielder resides in Richmond, VA. Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, August 14 at Grace United Methodist Church with the Reverend Diana Hagewood Smith officiating, under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Burial will in Missouri Veterans Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, August 13 at Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Springfield Public Schools Foundation.