Rita M. Mestemaker, 79, 5038 North Star-Fort Loramie Road, New Weston, died at 7:35 a.m. June 17, 2008, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys.

She was born Aug. 18, 1928, in Celina, to Peter J. and Rose Weisman Heckler. On Jan. 24, 1951, she married Alvin "Shorty" Mestemaker, who died March 4, 1985.

Surviving are two sons, John (Toni) and Steven (Rose), all of New Weston; three daughters, Kathleen (Michael) Siegrist, Maria Stein, Joann (Larry) Myron, West Point, Miss., and Diane (Marvin) Siefring, Fort Recovery; two brothers, Maurice (Hannah) and Albert (Anna Rita) Heckler, all of Celina; three sisters-in-law, Phyllis Raker, and Mildred and Colleen Heckler, all of Celina; 17 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Deceased are five brothers, Ed, Dale, Wayne, Earl and Carl Heckler.

She was a homemaker and a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church, Burkettsville, and its Altar Rosary Sodality.

Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church, the Rev. Tony Fortman officiating. Burial is at the church cemetery.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Thursday and 9-10 a.m. Friday at Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry.