Rita Alvina Witges, 80, of Scheller, passed away at 6:25 p.m., Jan. 9, 2007, at Crossroads Community Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

Rita was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Barbara's Catholic Church in Scheller, Catholic Daughters, and AARP Du Bois Chapter 2327.

She was born Aug. 25, 1926, in Oran, Mo. to Joseph and Annie (Baudendistel) Bisher.

She married Raymond A. Witges on June 1, 1946, in Oran, Mo. He survives her.

Rita is survived by her husband of Scheller; sons Robert Witges and wife Frances of Galatia, Ray Lee Witges and wife Jeannine of Scheller, Larry Witges and wife Bonnie of La Porte, Ind., and James Witges and wife Shanna of Columbia; daughters Mary Kay Bengtson and husband Neal of Raleigh, N.C., and Shirley Phillips and husband Bob of Stilwell, Kan.; brothers Joe Bisher and wife Eleanor of St. Louis, Mo., Simon Bisher of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Ferdinand Bisher of Saxton, Pa.; sister-in-laws Florence Thomson of Canton, Ga., and Shirley Bisher of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; grandsons Kyle Witges of Edwardsville, Clark Witges of Scheller, Philip Witges of La Porte, Ind., David Phillips of Stilwell, Kan., Eric Bengtson of Boone, N.C., Bret Bengtson of Raleigh, NC, Martin Witges of Columbia, IL and Joshua Witges of Columbia; granddaughters Andrea Erixon and husband Justin of Bloomington, Molly Witges of St. Louis, Mo., Rita Witges of Columbia, and Maria Witges of Columbia.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Earl Bisher.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Barbara's Catholic Church in Scheller with Fr. Robert Zwilling officiating. Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa. Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. today at the Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa. Interment will be at a later date.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.

Source: Register-News
Date: January 12, 2007
Submitted by: Robert W. Loman