Rita Zahner

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Rita M. Zahner, 87, of Perryville died Monday, May 14, 2007, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born May 8, 1920, at Perry County, Mo., daughter of William and Rosa Stortz Richardet. She and Elmer L. Zahner were married Sept. 30, 1939, at Perryville. He died July 19, 1974.

Zahner was retired from International Shoe Co., and was active in volunteer work with Perry Comp Senior Citizens and visiting area nursing homes. She was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, the Daughters of Isabella, the Ladies Sodality and the Knights of Columbus Auxilliary.

Survivors include three daughters, Jeanette Killian and Jean Welker, both of Perryville, Patricia Crisera of San Francisco; a sister, Lillian Zoellner of St. Louis; 21 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, three sisters, a grandchild and a great-grandchild.

Friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at Miller Family Funeral Home in Perryville. Parish prayers with the Ladies Sodality and Daughters of Isabella will be at 5 p.m. Visitation will continue from 6:30 to 9:50 a.m. Saturday. The rosary will be recited at 9 a.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, with the Rev. Kevin P. Fausz officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.