Rita M. Casey, age 89 of Lima, passed away Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, at 10:50 pm, Lima Convalescent Home.

She was born September 24, 1932 in Lima, to Edward H. and Mary R. ( Huber) Sunderhaus, Sr. who preceded her in death. On Aug. 11, 1951 she married Richard “Dick” Casey who preceded her in death on Aug. 1, 1981. She later married Reynold “Bud” Rigali who also preceded her in death.

Surviving are three sons: Mike (Rhonda) Casey of Lima, Kevin (Connie) Casey of Elida and Dick (Kathy) Casey of Chattanooga, TN; five daughters: Barb (Mike) Flynn of Lima, Carol (Jim) Carpenter of Covington, KY, Noreen (Greg) Hicks of Burnside, KY, Virginia “Ginny” Rockhold of Arlington, TX and Katy (Todd) Kelly of Lowell, IN; three stepchildren: Dianne (Lowell) Ansley, Linda (Bill) Kovacek and Joe Rigali all of Lima. She is also survived by 27 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren.

Along with her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by her siblings: Louie Sunderhaus, Bob Sunderhaus, Bill Sunderhaus, Frank Sunderhaus, Edward Sunderhaus, Jr., Adeline Wiese, Ursula Frueh-Stemen, Ruth Frueh, Mary Seffernick and a stepson, Mike Rigali.

Rita was a homemaker and a member of St. Gerard Catholic Church and its Altar Rosary Society. She later worked for Lima Convalescent Home and Lima City Schools in the cafeteria. She was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary Aerie #370 and the Senior Citizens. She was an avid Cincinnati Reds fan.

Visitation will be on Thursday, from 2-8 p.m. at the Shawnee Chapel of Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, where a Parish Rosary will be said at 7:45 p.m. Her funeral Mass will begin at 11:30 a.m., on Friday, Jan. 14th, 2022 at St. Gerard Catholic Church, with Fr. Mike Sergi officiating. Burial will follow in Gethsemani Cemetery.

A special thank you to Lima Convalescent Home and St. Rita’s Hospice for their care of our beloved mother.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Gerard Church.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.