Rita M. Mestemaker, age 79, died on Tuesday, June 17, 2008, at Joint Township District Hospital in St. Marys.

She was born on Aug. 18, 1928, to Peter and Rose (Weisman) Heckler of Celina. On Jan. 24, 1951, she married Alvin “Shorty” Mestemaker, who preceded her in death on March 4, 1985.
She is survived by her children: Kathleen (Michael) Siegrist of Maria Stein, Joann (Larry) Myron of West Point, Miss., Diane (Marvin) Siefring of Fort Recovery, John (Toni) Mestemaker of New Weston and Steven (Rose) Mestemaker of New Weston; as well as 17 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren. She also leaves behind two brothers, Maurice (Hannah) Heckler of Celina and Albert (Anna Rita) Heckler of Celina, and sisters-in-law, Phyllis Raker of Celina, Mildred Heckler of Celina and Colleen Heckler of Celina. She is preceded in death by five brothers: Ed, Dale, Wayne, Earl and Carl.
She was a member of St. Bernards Catholic Church in Burkettsville and the Altar Rosary Sodality of the parish.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2008, at St. Bernards Church, with Rev. Tony Fortman officiating. Calling hours are scheduled for Thursday, June 19, 2008, from 2 to 8 p.m., and Friday, June 20, 2008, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry.