Rita Kay Roach, age 74, a resident of the Carroll Golden Age Retreat in Carrollton, died Thursday afternoon, May 14, 2026 in Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center at Canton.
She was born July 7, 1951, in Carrollton, Ohio and was the daughter of the late Donald Ross and Marie (Haun) McClure. Her husband, the late Ray E. Roach, whom she married February 14, 1981, passed away on July 25, 2010. Additionally, she was preceded in death by Steve Valdinger, her companion for 11 1/2 years and a brother, Raymond “Pete” McClure.
She retired after 30 years of service from Key Bank in Carrollton. She and her late husband Ray also operated a feed store in Carrollton for several years. Following her retirement from the bank, she also was employed by Dollar General for ten years. She was a 1969 graduate of Carrollton High School. She was a member of the Ohio Wagon Train and served as a 4-H Advisor for many years. During the Carroll County Fair, she could be found working in the animal barns from the beginning of the fair to the very end. She loved all animals but was particularly fond of goats and mules. She also owned several horses and enjoyed horseback riding. She lived in Leesville for many years during her marriage to Ray but eventually moved on to a second chapter in her life when she met Steve Valdinger and moved to the Scio area. There, her life was full of friends and adventure. They hosted Steve and Rita’s “Tuesday Night Music” each Tuesday in their barn. There, amateur musicians and friends would gather from many locations to perform music and enjoy a large feast. She will be missed by her family and many friends.
She is survived by two brothers, Richard “Rick” (Stacey) McClure and Rob (Beverly) McClure, and a sister, Mrs. Donna (Donald) Weaver, all of Carrollton, many nieces and nephews and her “adopted family”, The Valdinger Family of the Scio area.
Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 P.M., Monday, May 18, 2026, in the Baxter-Gardner Funeral Home with Pastor Vicki Muth officiating. Interment will follow in the Sherrodsville Memorial Gardens. Calling hours will be held Monday from 11:00 A.M until time of services at 1:00 P.M. in the funeral home. Contributions in Rita’s memory may be made to The Carroll Golden Age Retreat, 2202 Kensington Road N.E., Carrollton, Ohio 44615. Her family would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the staff of the Carroll Golden Age Retreat for their thoughtful care of Rita during her stay, and also special thanks to the Staff of Mercy Hospice. To leave an online condolence message please visit the funeral home website.
Baxter-Gardner
(740) 269-9225
www.baxtergardner.com
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