Patricia Chambers Koelker

AIKEN – Mrs. Patricia Chambers Koelker, 90, died Monday, March 10, 2008. Mrs. Koelker was born in Omaha, NE, a daughter of the late Fred Fitch and Verna Newell Chambers. She studied art in Omaha, Chicago, Shenandoah, IA, and has exhibited at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, the Des Moines Art Center in Iowa and was a studio artist at the Beardsley Art Gallery in Omaha. Mrs. Koelker and her late husband, Anthony James Koelker, moved to Aiken in 1965. She was active in the Aiken Artist Guild and was co-founder of the Rose Hill Art Center, designed costumes for the Augusta Civic Ballet and had drawings in two national publications, the Dance News and the Dance Magazine. Her interest in antiques and furniture led to extensive study and a successful antique appraisal business. She continued to produce artwork in sculpture, acrylic, mixed-media and fabric until recently. Survivors include her daughter, Malia Koelker (Robert) Shackleton, Aiken; a son, Anthony James (Christi) Koelker, Aiken; two grandchildren, Evan James and Katherine Brice Koelker. In addition to her parents and husband, a son, Michael David Koelker, preceded her in death. Funeral services will be held privately. A reception for friends of the family will be held Sunday, March 16, from 4-6 PM at Malia's Restaurant, 120 Laurens Street, Aiken. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Aiken County SPCA, 401 Wire Rd., Aiken, SC 29801 Please visit Mrs. Koelker’s online guest book at http://shellhousefuneralhome.com. Shellhouse Funeral Home, Inc., 924 Hayne Ave., Aiken, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Patricia Chambers Koelker, please visit our flower store.