She was born April 18, 1963 in Canton, Ohio to the late Charles and Beverly (McCaulley) Kerns. She was a 1982 graduate of Tuscarawas Valley High School and a graduate of Brevard Community College in Melbourne.
Rita was active in the Jaycees where she held several state level offices and also conducted many fund raising events and helped during disasters, fires and hurricanes. She was also a Girl Scout Leader for many years and started a new troop when her daughter first became eligible and remained the troop leader. She also enjoyed camping, playing bunco and spending time with her family and many friends.
She is survived by her husband Joseph, whom she married on June 22, 1996 and was a loving wife to him and a devoted mother to her daughter Anna Louise, a freshman at Eau Gallie High School. Other survivors include her sisters Charlann (David) Young and Tenia (Garry) Sears all of Bolivar and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
The family will greet guests one hour prior to a memorial service being held in St. Paul Lutheran Church at Bolivar on Saturday August 18, 2012 from 10:00-11:00 AM. Pastor Mike Pozzuto will lead services at 11:00 AM in the church sanctuary.
Following services the family wishes to invite guests to join them in the church social hall where a memorial reception will be held. In keeping with her wishes her body has been cremated and a “Celebration of Life” will be held in Florida at a later date.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Paul Lutheran Church at PO Box 377 Bolivar, Ohio 44612. The Lebold-Smith Funeral Home in Bolivar is handling the arrangements. To sign the guest register and share a memory please visit the funeral home website.
Lebold-Smith
Bolivar
330-874-3113
www.smithfuneral.com
Bolivar
330-874-3113
www.smithfuneral.com
