Rita M. VanAlstyne, 95, of 518 N. Michael Street, St. Marys, died on Friday, January 6, 2017 at Penn Highlands Elk following an unexpectedly illness.

She was born on March 25, 1921, in St. Marys, a daughter of the late George and Julia Salter Meyer.

On December 3, 1938 in St. Marys Church , she married Robert W. VanAlstyne, who preceded her in death on July 22, 1992.

Mrs. VanAlstyne was a lifelong resident of the area and was a member of St. Marys Church.  She retired from Stackpole Carbon Company after more than 30 years of service.  She enjoyed gardening and birdwatching.  Most of all, she enjoyed the time spent with her family.

She is survived by a a son Robert D. VanAlstyne of St. Marys, by a daughter, Deborah Lint and her husband Charles of Massillon, OH, by two grandchildren, Scott Piscitelli and Matthew Piscitelli, two step-grandchildren, Carrie Hause and Jason Lint, and by five great-grandchildren, Sienna, Jasper, Payton, Reed, and Caroline.  She is also survived by a brother, Ellsworth "Buddy" Meyer and his wife Germaine of St. Marys and by a sister, Martha Griffin of Akron, NY, as well as by numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by nine brothers, Raymond "Pete" Meyer, Arthur Meyer, Harold "Eddie" Meyer, George "Sonny" Meyer, Francis "Tootie" Meyer, Floyd "Buzzy" Meyer, Robert Meyer, Merle Meyer and James Meyer as well as by one sister, Hazel Gaffey.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Rita M. VanAlstyne will be celebrated on Monday, January 9, 2017, at 1:00 PM at St. Marys Church, Church Street, St. Marys, PA 15857 with Rev. Alfred Patterson, OSB, officiating.
Interment will follow in St. Marys Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the Lynch-Green Funeral Home on Monday, January 9, 2017 from 10:30 AM until 12:30 PM.

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