Patricia Ann Mary Rehl Hartley passed away at the age of 81 on November 15, 2023. Pat is survived by her son, Chuck Hartley (Vicki); daughter Donna Hartley (Jonathan); brother Charles Rehl, sister-in-law Louise Hoermle; grandchildren Jennifer Hartley Brown, Brian Hartley, Nancy Blake, Jeremy Vance, Samantha Kuhn, Collin Vance; 14 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Don; by her parents Charles Rehl and Ruth Harper Rehl; and by her daughter Ruth Ann.

Born on July 5, 1942, "Patty Ann" grew up in German Village and South Columbus. She spent her formative years in Catholic school and attended Marion Franklin High School, participating in the Home Economics and Library Clubs. Pat met her husband Don in 1959, who walked six miles to visit her each day and, on his way home, stopped at a pay phone to continue talking late into the night. They married in 1961 and welcomed son Charles in 1962. In 1964, daughter Ruth Ann was born but died the same day. Eventually, their family was complete with the birth of daughter Donna in 1972.

Pat was born right after Independence Day, and always said that she was "almost a firecracker". Her feisty personality demonstrated this in myriad ways. She occasionally accompanied Don on his semi-truck runs to experience the life of a trucker. She loved roller coasters — the higher and faster the better — and her family spent many summers with her at Kings Island. In her 60s, Pat was the proud owner of an ATV, and she loved to zoom around the woods and back roads near their cabin in Southern Ohio. Despite her sweet nature, Pat had no qualms proving that she was not a feeble little woman. She worked in the warehouse at Van Dyne Crotty for years and would brag about how many pallets of inventory she could process each day alongside her younger, stronger co-workers. If you stole her parking spot, mercy to you.

What Pat was most notable for, however, was her inherent empathy, thoughtfulness, and kindness. If she met you even once, you would likely receive a birthday card, an Easter card, a Halloween card, a Christmas card, any number of thank-you cards, and at least one small gift from her that year. Her reputation preceded her in the community; to many local restaurants and businesses, "sweet Pat" was their favorite customer. During the past several years, she stayed busy caring for her husband and volunteering at churches and food pantries, yet at age 81, she managed to never to forget a birthday. She has no doubt generated enough good karma for countless lifetimes.

Other things Pat loved over the years were playing bingo, weekend card games with friends, penny slot machines at the casino, and eating pizza. She attended every local festival and any carnival that came to town, never missing a chance to eat some fair fries, salt-water taffy, or a funnel cake. She adored her cat Sunny, and was devoted to her husband Don, with whom, after just over a year, she will pleased to be reunited.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 24, 2023, from 12:00 noon until the time of service at 1:00 pm at Myers-Woodyard Funeral Home, 587 Main Street, Groveport, Ohio, with interment immediately following at Obetz Cemetery.