MENDOTA - Patricia A. (Whitmore) Rod, 85, of Mendota passed away peacefully on Jan. 6, 2022 surrounded by family at Brighton Gardens of Wheaton Reminiscence in Wheaton.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 10 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Brian Kelly officiating. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of services.

Patricia was born Sept. 19, 1936 in Aurora to George and Bernice (Caponash) Whitmore, Jr. She had the honor of being the first daughter born in the Whitmore family for 60 years. She married James Ross Rod of LaMoille on Nov. 6, 1955. He preceded her in death.

Survivors include her brother, Jerry Whitmore; her children, Deborah (Michael W.) Koscielny and Michael J. Rod; grandchildren, Michael “Trey” W. (Michele) Koscielny, III, Rachael E. (Andrew) Sutter, Elizabeth E. Rod, James M. Rod and Timothy M. (Claudia) Rod; a great-granddaughter, Daenerys A. Koscielny; a great-grandson Kurtis W. Sutter; and a third great-grandchild due in February.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a daughter-in-law, Joan E. (Crowley) Rod; and Alfred “Fritz” Rod.

Patricia was a member of Mendota Bible Church where she sang in the choir and was a Kids Klub volunteer. Her faith steered her life and she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior many years ago. She graduated from Mendota High School in 1955 where she actively participated in girls’ sports including baseball. Patricia and James resided on a farm near Rochelle before moving to Rockford in 1964. Patricia graduated and taught cosmetology at Rockford Beauty Academy in Rockford and was the owner/operator of the Glamour Magic Beauty Salon at her home in Rockford. She graduated from Rock Valley College School of Nursing in 1972 with high honors and practiced as an RN/Intensive Care nurse at Rockford Memorial Hospital and Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru, as well as Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas. During her lifetime, she was co-owner with her husband and manager of a Polar Bear Ashburn Ice Cream Store in Austin, Texas. She was an AKC breeder of German Shepherds and an accomplished dog trainer as well as a beekeeper and advocate for wildlife. Her love for gardening followed her through life, while living on the farm or in town. Her home was recognized as the June 1995 Lawn of the Month by the Men’s Garden Club of Mendota. Patricia’s love of life was best shown by the energy she put into to everything she did. She was always willing to lend a helping hand when others were in need. She was a very independent woman.

Memorials may be directed to Alzheimer’s Association or online at act.alz.org. Online condolences may be left at www.merrittfh.com.