Rita C. Wendel, 96, Fort Recovery "St. Anthony," Ohio, died on February 14, 2017, at Briarwood Village, Coldwater, Ohio.

She was born May 24, 1920, in Fort Recovery "St. Joe," Ohio, to the late Bernard and Katherine (Bruns) Timmerman. On January 5, 1944, she married Melvin P. Wendel, who died July 6, 1992.

Surviving are two daughters, M. Jane Pease of Celina, OH and Karen (Randy) Schwieterman of Coldwater, OH; 10 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren; son-in-law, Bill Gaerke of Fort Recovery, OH; brother-in-law, Robert Pax of St. Henry, OH; two sisters-in-law, Pauline Timmerman of Coldwater, OH and LouAnn Timmerman of Coldwater, OH; and in-law, JoAnn Wendel of Portland, IN.

Rita was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Preceding her in death are her children, Linda Wendel and Ron Wendel; son-in-law, Dan Pease; daughter-in-law, Mary Wendel-Gaerke; brothers, Leander, Tom, Melvin, Bill and Bob Timmerman; and sisters, Rosemary Metzger, Dorothy Pax and Betty Pax.
She was a member of the St. Anthony Catholic Church, St. Anthony, Ohio and the church's Altar Rosary Sodality. In her earlier years, Rita cooked for weddings and at the St. Anthony School and was a housekeeper at the St. Anthony Rectory.

She was also employed for several years at the former Buckeye in Coldwater, Ohio. She enjoyed embroidering and crocheting.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Saturday, February 18, 2017 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, St. Anthony, Ohio, with Fr. Tim Ralston officiating. Burial will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery.

Calling is 6:00 pm-8:00 pm Friday and 9:00 am-9:45 am Saturday at Brockman-Boeckman Funeral Home, Fort Recovery, Ohio.

Condolences may be directed to www.brockmanboeckmanfh.com.