Near the stroke of midnight March 10, 1945, our Heavenly Father blessed Joseph A. and Frieda M. (Mueller) Meyer with the gift of a beautiful baby girl. They named her Rita.

She was baptized on March 18, 1945, and would later receive first communion and confirmation at St. Boniface Church, Evansville, IL. She graduated from Precious Blood all girls high school in Ruma, IL, Class of 1963. Rita married Kenneth P. Schrader on August 26, 1967, at St. Boniface in Evansville, IL. Kenny was called to heaven August 16, 2016.

Rita worked as a secretary for the Randolph County Courthouse and later worked in Steeleville at Sew Unique then Dorma. She was a homemaker and member of Our lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Sparta, IL. She was a member of the St. Ann's Altar Sodality and the Steeleville American Legion Auxiliary. Rita enjoyed cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals, watching the Hallmark channel and Westerns as well as sewing, quilting, and being with family and friends.

She will be remembered dearly by her children and grandchildren: Tina, Tal, Ethan and Ada Rozene of Effingham, IL; Paul, Cameron, and Erin Schrader of Livermore, CA; Robert, Sandy, Ryan (deceased), Nicholas, Caroline, and Owen Schrader of Carmel, IN; Ann, Nathan, Ara and Eli Ratchford of Rolla, MO; Elizabeth, Randy, Cole, and Cara Stanton of Salado, TX; Alisa Schrader and Joseph Cope of Auburn, IL.

Also mourning her death are her siblings: James (Connie) Meyer, John (Shirley) Meyer, Joseph Meyer, Mary Mulholland, Paul (Geri) Meyer, Tony (JoAnn) Meyer, Rose (Greg) Wright, sister-in-law Donna Kober as well as many nieces and nephews.

Rita was called home to heaven on June 27, 2024, at the age of 79. Rita survived her first diagnosis of cancer 18 years ago and courageously fought her second diagnosis over the past three years until her death.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 11:00 am, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Sparta, IL, with Father Iuvenis presiding.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 11, 2024, at Wilson's Funeral Home, Steeleville, IL, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, with Rosary recited at 7:30 pm, and on Friday from 10:00 – 11:00 am. Burial will be in Paradise Cemetery in Bremen, IL.

Family asks that memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, and can mailed in c/o Wilson's Funeral Home, PO Box 217, Steeleville, IL 62288. To sign guestbook, visit www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net.

Rita's family would like to thank Vitas Hospice nurses and staff, Three Springs Lodge nurses and staff, Chester Memorial Swing Bed and Chemotherapy and Infusion Center nurses and staff, for the kind care of their mother.