Rita K. Willhelm, of Cedar Grove, was born on October 2, 1923 in Brookville, a daughter to George and Emma Frey Schuck. On April 15, 1948 she married Arthur J. Willhelm at St. Michael Church in Brookville and together they raised eight children. Rita was a life-long member of Holy Guardian Angel Church, and a member of Farm Bureau and the English Hill Homemakers. Rita volunteered at St. Michael Elementary School – doing so for 20 years. She loved flowers, gardening, and spending time with her family. Rita also enjoyed quilting and donated many baby quilts to the Peyton Manning Hospital. On Monday, December 3, 2018 at the age of 95, she passed away at Brookville Healthcare Center after an extended illness.
Those surviving who will cherish Rita’s memory include her children, Tom (Fay) Willhelm of Catlettsburg, KY, Emma (Bill) Werner of St. Leon, Francis (Mary) Willhelm, David (Annette) Willhelm, and Edward (Sherry) Willhelm, all of Cedar Grove, Betty (Mark) Sullivan of Indianapolis, and Karen (Rodney) Grubbs of Brookville; 21 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren, and a sister-in-law, Virginia Schuck of Bradenton, FL. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; one daughter, Mary Willhelm Schwegman; a son-in-law, Louis Schwegman; two brothers Joseph and Carl Schuck and an infant brother, Leonard Schuck.
Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, December 9, 2018 from 3 until 7 p.m. at Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home, 929 Main Street, Brookville. Rosary will be recited at 2:30. Father Vincent Lampert will officiate a Mass of Christian burial on Monday at 10 a.m. at Holy Guardian Angel Church in Cedar Grove. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorial donations can be directed to the Mary Willhelm Schwegman Scholarship Fund at FCCF, St. Michael Church or to a Charity of Choice. To sign the online guestbook please visit www.cookrosenberger.com. The staff of Cook Rosenberger Funeral Home is honored to care for the family of Rita Willhelm.