Rita G. Byer

Rita G. Byer, 77 of Willshire, Ohio died at 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at Chalet Village Health & Rehab in Berne. She was born on December 9, 1939 in Adams County to Joseph and Esther (Steiner) Hartnett. She was married on July 12, 1963 to Leon Lee Byer.

She was a homemaker and babysitter. She loved her kids. She was a former member of Willshire United Brethren in Christ Church, where she was a member of the Women’s Missionary Association, active in the U.B children’s ministry; and former President of the U.B. Church. She had also been attending the Pleasant Mills Baptist Church in Pleasant Mills. She had her home baking license - decorating cakes over the years for special occasions.

She is survived by her husband; son, Michael L. Byer of Lima, Ohio; daughter, Karla J. (Carey) Free of Decatur; two sisters, M. Anne Schoeff of Greenville, Ohio; and J. Kaye Hartman of Van Buren; two grandsons, Taylor R. (Brittany Sinn and her three children) Free; and Trevor R. Free; and one great-grandchild on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, November 24 at Cowan and Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, Ohio. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 25 at the funeral home. Officiating will be Pastor Bob Shook. Burial will be at Willshire Cemetery in Willshire, Ohio.

Memorials may be made to Pleasant Mills Baptist Church, Gideon’s International, or Hospice.

Arrangements provided by Cowan and Son Funeral Home in Van Wert, Ohio. Online condolences may be made at cowanfuneralhome.com.