Rita M. Steele, 90, of 376 Rock Street, St. Marys, died peacefully at her home on Thursday, April 21, 2016.

She was born on May 22, 1925, in St. Marys, a daughter of the late James and Barbara Zwack Steele.

Rita was a lifelong resident of the area and a graduate of St. Marys Public High School.  She was a member of Sacred Heart Church and retired from Sylvania after more than 45 years of service.  Rita was well known for her dedication and attendance at every Legion baseball game for nearly 50 years.  She faithfully attended the Legion baseball games, Dutch football games and also attended the ECC football games when her nephews played high school football.  She will also be remembered for her volunteer work at Sacred Heart, where she used to make dozens of cookies for the social committee.  Most of all, she loved and cherished her family and enjoyed spending time with them.

She is survived by her nephew with whom she made her home, Stephen Steele and his wife Mary of St. Marys, a niece, Cathy Ayers and her husband Ronald of East Smithfield, PA, great nieces and nephews, TJ (Ashley) Steele, Stephen Steele, Jr., Patrick (Nikki Hadfield) Steele, Amy (Tim) Hoke, Jamie (Bobbi) Ayers, Stacy (Paul) Flatter and Ashley (Todd Fox) Ayers and by numerous great-great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, William Steele and by a sister in infancy.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Rita M. Steele will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church, Center Street, St. Marys, with Rev. Eric Vogt, OSB, officiating.
Interment will follow in St. Marys Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be at the Lynch-Green Funeral Home on Monday, April 25, 2016 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Legion Baseball or to Elk County Catholic School System.

Lynch-Green Funeral Home, 151 N. Michael St., St. Marys, is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be made to the family at www.lynchgreenfuneralhome.com