Location: Sterling, IL
Rita M. Bontz Obituary Rita Bontz, 93, of Sterling, Illinois, passed away on January 8th at CGH Hospital in Sterling with her loving family by her side. Rita was born in Dixon, the daughter of Mary Gleason Rock and Thomas Rock. She graduated from Newman High School in Sterling and worked at the Defense Plant in Dixon in the early years of WWII. She married Maynard Bontz on September 3, 1942 in Harmon, Il. She is survived by five children; Barb Ekstrum (Jim) of Dunlap, Ron (Doreen) of Rock Falls, Louie (Barb) of LaSalle, Deb George of Montgomery, and Greg Bontz of Sterling, 11 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, sister Anne Vock of Polo, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Rock, sisters, Eileen Oester and Irene Shaw, granddaughter, Jennifer Bontz, son-in-law Ron George, and daughter-in-law, Mary Bontz. Rita and Maynard lived in the rural Harmon area where they farmed. Later, they operated the Victory Cafe on Rt.26/30, and the Bontz's Beehive Restaurant in Ohio, Il. Maynard died on 12/21/88. Rita operated the restaurant for six more years. She later married Bob Anderson of Ohio, Il in 2002. Rita and Bob did extensive travelling; spending many winters in Arizona and visiting Jim, his son, in Mexico. Bob died in 2014. Rita was an avid gardener who loved flowers; and she enjoyed decorating and travelling. She liked playing cards, doing crossword puzzles, and listening to 40's music. The family would like to thank retirement homes, Greenfield in Princeton and Parkway Center in Sterling, as well as the CGH Hospital staff for their kindness and expertise in caring for Rita. Visitation will be Saturday, January 13, 2018 from 9:30 - 11:00 AM at the Garland Funeral Home in Walnut. Funeral services will be Saturday at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Ohio. Memorials have been established to the Ohio Fire Dept and St. Mary's Cemetery in Ohio. Online condolences may be sent to www.garlandfuneralhome.com.