Mrs. Walsh was a billing supervisor for Western Union before her retirement. She was a member of St. Henry’s Catholic Church, Belleville, IL. Rita was active in neighborhood watch, Boy Scouts, and volunteered her time at numerous charities. She loved to read, especially English history, work on family genealogy, and to travel, making many friends as a result of her travels.
Rita was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Francis E. Walsh, whom she married on July 5, 1947 and who died on January 22, 2004; her parents, Lester and Rose, nee Leible, Nichting.
Surviving are three sons, Michael (Cheryl) Walsh of Terra Verde, FL, Patrick (Karen) Walsh of Millstadt, IL, and Brian (Cheryl) Walsh of Edwardsville, IL;
seven grandchildren, Brendan Walsh, Erin (Jesse) Petas, Megan Walsh, Sean Walsh, Daniel Walsh, Kyle Walsh, and Colin Walsh;
two great-grandchildren, Keely and Emmy;
a brother, Norman “Dennis” (Teresa) Nichting of St. Louis, MO;
a sister, Florence “Babe” Jacobs of St. Louis, MO;
and nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL. Standard CDC guidelines, including masks and a limited number of visitors at any one time will be observed.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Paderborn, IL, with Fr. James Voelker officiating.
Burial will be held at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.