Patricia Michel

Patricia (Pat/Trish) Michel, age 78, passed away on August 23, 2026, in Nixa, Missouri. Born on March 12, 1948, in Springfield, Missouri, she was the daughter of the late Dwight and Celo (Garrison) Hawkins.

As a young girl, Pat attended First Christian Church of Ozark and accepted Christ on June 2, 1957. Pat was a 1966 graduate of Ozark High School, where she was a drum majorette for the Tiger Marching Band. She then attended Drury College, where she was a member of the Alpha Psi chapter of the Kappa Delta sorority.

A lifelong resident of Christian County, Pat devoted her life to her family and home. She married the love of her life, Albert (Al) Michel of Nixa on October 19, 1973. She shared nearly 53 wonderful years of marriage with her beloved husband. Together, they built a life grounded in devotion, partnership, and unconditional love.

Pat was confirmed into the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod on January 20, 1974. She spent her life serving others through both the Springfield and Nixa campuses of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Her love for music carried her through the rest of her life. She was active in her church, singing with the choir and ministering to children through her puppets.

A huge part of Pat’s life was spent as a homemaker. Caring for her family at home, she was known to be meticulous and well-organized in all that she did. She always remembered birthdays and special events of friends and family, mailing cards to them for years to make sure they knew they were remembered and loved. Pat’s caring for others didn’t stop with family and friends. She was always looking out for others, and donating to various charitable causes was important to her throughout her life.

Pat’s greatest pride was her family. She is survived by her husband, Albert; her daughter, Laura (French) Mayfield, and husband Elton of Olathe, Kansas; her son, Jason Michel, and wife Sherry of Springfield, Missouri; and her sister, Judith Farmer, and husband Larry of Springfield, Missouri.

She leaves behind a rich legacy through her cherished grandchildren: Jacob Mayfield, Audrey Mayfield, Megan Gatewood and her husband Chris, Isaac Michel, Tenaye Michel, Bryson Montgomery, and Kaden Montgomery. She was also a loving great-grandmother to Arthur Willis and Adalynn Gatewood.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dwight and Celo Hawkins; stepmother, Beulah Hawkins; sister, Barb Hawkins; and great-grandson, DJ Willis.

Pat Michel taught us to love and care for others without judgment, be kind to everyone you meet, and even through the pain and suffering, there is always a reason to smile. A special thank you to staff and residents of Nixa Nursing and Rehab, who helped us keep her smile, even through her last days.

A visitation will be held on Friday, August 28, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Pat’s memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 29 at 10:00am, with lunch immediately to follow. Both visitation and service will be at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Nixa, MO, with the memorial service livestreamed at https://growsharecare.org/live. Burial will be at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Adams Funeral Home, Nixa and cremation rites will be accorded by Adams Crematory.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Nixa Redeemer Lutheran preschool or the Alzheimer’s Association.