Patricia Ellen Rowland, nee Distler, age 60, of O'Fallon, Ill., born June 25, 1952 in Dayton, Ohio, died unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday, March 19, 2013.

The oldest of four children, Patty grew up in New Jersey, Indiana, and Ohio. While attending college in Oxford, Ohio, she met Bill. Patty was a wonderful, loving and supportive wife throughout their military career with assignments in California, Arkansas, North Carolina, Ohio, California again, Germany, then Illinois. She worked various jobs over the years, but her most meaningful work was in caring for her family. She was a loving mother and a devoted grandmother. She tirelessly supported her granddaughters, Kelsie and Emma, and was the "Karate Gran" to Emma's kick-boxing and karate classes. Patty was kind, generous, gracious, and the ever-constant presence for the girls when their mom was in the hospital. Patty was an exceptional lady; her absence will be felt tremendously by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Tanya Lee Roos; her father Jack Distler; and her father-in-law E.F. Rowland.

Surviving are her husband Ford William "Bill" Rowland, whom she married May 6, 1972, in Oxford, Ohio; her mother Alice, nee Colwell, Distler of Indianapolis, Ind.; granddaughters, Kelsie (Butch Kabureck) Roos, and Emma Roos; great-granddaughter Bay Lynn Kabureck, all of O'Fallon; brother Charles (Pat) Distler, sisters Deborah Distler and Sara Distler; and mother-in-law Melvine Rowland of Williamsfield, Ohio.

Memorial donations are suggested to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (www.jdrf.org) or the Premier Martial Arts Fight Team as they prepare for international competition in July 2013.

Even when the storms of life hit so hard that we nearly break from the force, the "rain" is not an enemy. Our loving God has allowed it to make us stronger. He uses the water that batters us on the outside to build us up on the inside, so we may stand straight and strong.

Lord, we know that we don't need to fear the storms of life. Because You are good, we can trust You to use even our hard times to build our faith in You. We lean on You now.

The storms that threaten to destroy us, God will use to strengthen us.

Who can find a virtuous wife (i.e. a wife of valor)?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
- Proverbs 31:10-11

Visitation: No Public visitation will be held.

Funeral: Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at O'Fallon First United Methodist Church, Family Life Center, with Rev. Ron Dickinson officiating. Burial will follow at O'Fallon City Cemetery, O'Fallon, Ill.

Following the burial, please plan to join the family at the church for a meal.