Rita A. Zehringer, 88, Fort Recovery, Ohio, died on March 14, 2017, at Briarwood Village, Coldwater, Ohio.

She was born December 28, 1928, in Celina, OH, to the late Henry and Mary (Homan) Fortkamp. On October 21, 1947, she married James Zehringer, who died February 7, 1982.

Surviving are her children, Mary Ann Gibson of Coldwater, Ohio, Linda (John) Ridgway of Columbus, Ohio, Jim (Sharon) Zehringer of Columbus, Ohio, Theresa (DJ) Bisel of Osteen, Florida, Joe (Tonia) Zehringer of Union City, OH, Margaret (Mike) Tobe of Celina, OH, Chuck (Lynn) Zehringer of Celina, OH, Nancy (Dean) Darland of Spring Hill, Tennessee, Jane (Jim) Rammel of Fort Recovery, OH, Barb Stucke of Cincinnati, OH, and Dr. Dan Zehringer of Centerville, OH; 40 grandchildren; 68 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; and three daughters-in-law, Sue Zehringer of Mesa, AZ, Linda (Paul) Cupito of Fort Recovery, OH, and Saundra (Rick) Davis, Dunkirk, IN.

Deceased are her sons, Paul, Gary and Ray Zehringer; sons-in-law, Frank Gibson and Chris Stucke; brothers, Henry and Cyril Fortkamp; sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Fortkamp and Arlene Fortkamp; and brothers-in-law, Bud May, Dick Poling and Gene Steinke.

Rita attended Fort Recovery High School and was a member of Mary Help of Christians Parish, Fort Recovery, Ohio. She was a proud member of the church choir, Ladies Altar Rosary Sodality, Daughters of Isabella, and of the Secular Order of St. Francis.

In addition to spending time with her family, Rita enjoyed serving as a Sacristan for the Mary Help of Christians Parish. Rita's talents as a seamstress were expressed in a variety of ways. She assisted in making outfits for numerous school groups, liturgical and ecclesiastical vestments, as well as creating gowns and various other alterations for members of the community.

In the early 1970's, Rita and her late husband, James Zehringer, along with a small group of patrons, sponsored a young Mexican priest through the Propagation of the Priesthood. This young priest, Fr. Louis Carrillo, stayed in touch with this group, and visited Fort Recovery numerous times.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Friday, March 17, 2017 at Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Fort Recovery, Ohio, Fr. Matthew Feist officiating. Burial will follow at St. Marys Cemetery, Fort Recovery, Ohio.

Calling is 2:00 pm-8:00 pm Thursday and 9:00 am-10:00 am Friday at Brockman-Boeckman Funeral Home, Fort Recovery, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to State of the Heart Care at: http://stateoftheheartcare.org/donate/ or by mail State of the Heart Care, 1350 N. Broadway, Greenville, OH 45331.

Condolences may be directed to www.brockmanboeckmanfh.com.