Patricia Jean Rademaker McCollum, age 80, formerly of Charleston, MO, passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau, MO.

Born September 18, 1944, in Berea, Ohio, to the late James E. and Alice Hunziker Rademaker, she was a graduate of Strongsville High School in Strongsville, OH and went on to study at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in secondary education with an emphasis in Language Arts.

In 1966, she began a teaching career spanning more than 45 years with Charleston R-1 Public Schools, first teaching at Anniston School in Mississippi County, MO, before moving to the Charleston Junior High School.  She would later take a position at Charleston High School and remain there until her retirement.  During her tenure in Charleston, she would serve as a Student Council sponsor, Junior Class sponsor, Homecoming activity coordinator, supervisor and sponsor of the High School cheerleading teams, as well as overseeing numerous other school activities.  'Miss McCollum', as she was known to her students, would come to represent all things 'Charleston Blue Jay'!  After her retirement from Charleston Schools, she served many additional years as an instructor at St. Henry Catholic School in Charleston.  Additionally, she was a former member of the Katherine Boone Music Club and attended St. Henry Catholic Church in Charleston.

She was preceded in death by her son Kenneth Scott "Kenny" McCollum, her parents, and her brother James (Carmen).  Surviving is her brother Timothy (Joy), Daniel "Boonie", Kenneth and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral hour at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the St. Henry Catholic Church in Charleston, MO.  Father David Dohogne, pastor, will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston, MO.

In lieu of flowers, plants or gift items, the family kindly requests memorials be made to The Bluejay Pantry c/o Charleston R-1 Schools, P.O. Box 39, Charleston, MO 63834.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com.