Rita Goeke

Rita Marie Goeke, 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, February 3, 2016, in a care home in Tucson, Arizona. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 27, 1928, to the late Harold and Rita (Sexton) Delaney, she spent her formative years in that city and graduated from high school in 1946. She moved to Columbus, Ohio, to attend St. Mary’s of the Springs College (now Ohio Dominican University), and obtained a bachelor’s degree in 1950. She married Ohio State graduate, Richard Goeke, on November 25, 1950. Mr. Goeke preceded her in death on June 10, 1976.

Rita is survived by: a son, Kevin (Lorraine) Goeke of Rio Verde, Arizona; a brother William (Merce) Delaney of Potomac Falls, Virginia; two grandsons, Steve (Atlanta, Georgia) and Joseph (Dublin, Ohio); sister-in-law Jean (John) Tattershall, of Lexington, Kentucky; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Rita resided in Bellefontaine, Ohio for over 50 years and was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She worked more than 20 years as a social worker in Logan County. Mrs. Goeke followed sports, enjoyed travelling, and was an avid birdwatcher. Following retirement, she was active as a volunteer with her church and with Mary Rutan Hospital, until her health declined.

Rev. Shawn Landenwitch will preside over a funeral mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 1 PM on Monday, February 15, 2016, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, Bellefontaine from 2 to 4 PM Sunday, February 14, 2016.

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