Mary "Rita" Pitstick

Mary "Rita" Pitstick, 91, of rural Earlville, Illinois passed away Tuesday, December 3, 2013 in Mendota Community Hospital in Mendota, IL. She was born May 4, 1922 in rural Earlville on the family farm, the daughter of Thomas and Marie (Donahue) O’Rourke, step-father Walter O’Rourke. She married Lawrence C. "Larry" Pitstick on June 1, 1943 at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Earlville, IL. She was a member of St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church in Earlville, Earlville Country Club. She was an avid golfer and card player. Rita and her husband Larry farmed in the Earlville area for over fifty years. Rita especially enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by six daughters; Madelyn (Walt) Zawislak of Sarasota, FL, Arlene (Chuck) Rogers of Dixon, IL, Mary Lou (Tim) Stein of Geneseo, IL, Donna (John) Cantello of Sedona, AZ, Sheila (Randy) Skinner of Waterman, IL and Alicia (Greg) Yuvan of Peru, IL; five sons, Jerry (Mary Beth) of Simi Valley, CA, Kevin (Mary Ellen) of Peoria, IL, Marty of Havre, MT, Greg of Earlville, IL and Dale (Lisa) of Bakersfield, CA; 24 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren; one great great grandson, two sisters, Theresa Lonie of Earlville, IL and Sharon Barr of Phoenix, AZ, and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lawrence "Larry", her step-father Walter, one daughter Marguerite Jones, one sister Bernice Larkin

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 9, 2013 at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Earlville with Rev. Fredi Gomez Torres officiating. Burial will follow in St. Theresa Catholic Cemetery in Earlville, IL. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, December 8, 2013 at Hanley-Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Earlville, with the Rosary being recited at 5:00 p.m.