Patricia Grace Wirtjes, 86, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, February 1, 2015. She and her twin sister Jacqueline were orphaned as babies but adopted by Sanford and Julia Wood in St. Louis, Missouri. The new parents chose February 15, 1928, as their birthday, calling the girls "their late Valentines."

On April 21, 1963, Patricia married Gerald Wirtjes, a WWII and Korean War veteran. They lived overseas for two years as Gerald served in NATO peacekeeping forces. He preceded her in death in 2002.

Patricia Wirtjes was a gifted teacher. Her classrooms included a one room schoolhouse in Hazard, Kentucky, a girls school in Izmir, Turkey, and the county jail where she taught prisoners to read and write. She spent 30 years teaching the 3rd Grade in Granite City at Webster School and then at Lake School. Patricia loved her students and saw each child''s potential and strengths.

She loved God and served Him as a Sunday School teacher at St. Matthew United Methodist in Belleville, Illinois and also by working in prison ministry. She often said the ground was level at the foot of the cross.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her twin sister. She is survived by her daughter, Ruth Elizabeth (Michael) Wendling, her beloved grandson Jonathan Gerald Wendling, her dear and faithful cousin, Viola Hightower and many friends. She will be missed.

Memorials may be given to Orphans Treasure Box, 826 Pioneer Street, Champaign, Ill. 61820, a Christian ministry that serves thousands of orphans and vulnerable children www.orphanstreasurebox.org. Patricia Wirtjes helped inspire the start of this organization.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2015 at Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville, Ill.

Funeral: A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 21, 2015 at St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Belleville, Ill. with Reverend Jim Slone officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, Illinois.