<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>poa_phassler.txt
<DESCRIPTION>POWER OF ATTORNEY
<TEXT>
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------


         The undersigned constitutes and appoints Andy Nemeth and Debbie Murphy
and each of them, as the undersigned's true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for the undersigned
and in the undersigned's name, place and stead, to sign any and all (1) Form
144s under the Securities Act of 1933 and (2) Securities and Exchange Commission
statements of beneficial ownership of securities of Patrick Industries, Inc.
("Company") on Forms 3, 4 and 5 as required under Section 16(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto,
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the Company and the NASD, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each act
and thing requisite and necessary to be done under said Rule 144 and Section
16(a), as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, may lawfully do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

         A copy of this power of attorney shall be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The authorization set forth above shall continue in full
force and effect until the undersigned revokes such authorization by written
instructions to the attorneys-in-fact.

         The authority granted hereby shall in no event be deemed to impose or
create any duty on behalf of the attorneys-in-fact with respect to the
undersigned's obligations to file Form 144 or Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

Dated:  March 1      ,  2004.
        -------------     --



                                            /s/ Paul E. Hassler
                                            ------------------------------------
                                             Signature of Reporting Person



                                             Paul E. Hassler, President
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name and Title







</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
