Person:Rita Strausbaugh (2)

Rita F Keller

Rita F Keller, 54 S Washington St., Tiffin, died Friday, Feb. 13, 200 4, in Elmwood Assisted Living at the Shawhan, Tiffin.

She was born July 26, 1923, in Tiffin, to the late Robert and Mabel (Bisne r) Strausbaugh. She married James J Smith, who preceded her in death Ju ly 22, 1948. On April 20, 1968, she married Vernon J Keller, in St. Mary C atholic Church in Tiffin. He preceded her in death Feb. 25, 1997. Surviving are: three stepsons, Allen L Keller of Upper Sandusky, Haro ld R (Cathy) Keller of Richmond, Va., and Donald E (Helen) Keller of Ralei gh, N.C; a stepdaughter, Esther M Lawrence of Reynoldsburg; 13 step grandc hildren and 16 step great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Keller graduated from Calvert High School in 1941 and Tiffin Universi ty in 1943. She worked as a secretary at American Standard for 40 years.

She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Alpha Iota Sorority and Alum nae Group and Daughters of Isabella. She volunteered at St. Francis Home a nd Mercy Hospital of Tiffin Gift Shop. Mrs. Keller was an avid bowler a nd she also loved to travel.

The funeral Mass will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2004, at St. Mary Catho lic Church with the Rev. David Ross officiating. Burial will be in St. Pet er Cemetery in Upper Sandusky.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Monday, with a wake service at 4:30 p.m., at t he Hoffmann-Gottfried Funeral Home in Tiffin.

Memorials may be made to Calvert High School, Heartland Hospice, or a char ity of the donor's choice.

added by Jon Jay Shultz, February 14, 2004.