Rita Louise Wertz M-Single-393

Rita Louise “Aunt Sis” Wertz, 74, of Edinburgh, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus. She was born Aug. 9, 1941, in Norristown. She was the daughter of Walter S. and Avonda “Bonnie” (Adams) VanGorden. She married Richard Wayne “Unkie” Wertz on June 16, 1963, and he preceded her in death on Jan. 8, 2016. She is survived by three brothers, W. Rex (Judy) VanGorden of Boulder, Colorado, Roger Scott (Patti) VanGorden of Saint Louis Crossing and Ray Dean (Genia) VanGorden of Hollywood, Maryland; nieces and nephews, David (Julie) Wertz of Bloomington, Reed (Shiyi) VanGorden of Hinsdale, Illinois, Brittany (Chris) Schoen of Franklin, Alexandra VanGorden of Bloomington, Danielle VanGorden and Kathleen VanGorden, both of Columbus, and A. Grace VanGorden and Elliot VanGorden, both of Hollywood, Maryland; and cousin, Jimmy (Diane) VanGorden of Flat Rock. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. She was a 1959 graduate of Southwestern High School, a 1960 graduate of Porter Business College, and a 1990 graduate of Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. She was a member of the Norristown Community Church and attended Edinburgh United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Busy Bees 4-H Club and a charter member of the Sunshine Club at South Western High School in 1958. On June 3, 1991 she joined the Delta Sigma Chapter of Kappa Kappa Kappa, Inc. and was president from 1996 to 1997. On June 12, 1991 she joined the National Society Daughters of the Revolutions, (NSDAR). She was chapter regent from 1995 to 2002 and held state offices. She was a recipient of the Adult Basic Education Volunteer of the Year award in 1995, Adult Basic Education Certificate of Recognition in 1996, and certificate from Edinburgh United Methodist Church for helping with Sunday School. She also taught Sunday school at Norristown Community Church. She was employed by Park-Belk in 1959, Amos-Thompson Corp. from 1960 to 1967, the bureau of motor vehicles in 1968 and Edinburgh Community School Corp. from 1998 to 2014. She helped to locate graves of Revolutionary War soldiers with the help of her husband, nieces and members of Alexander Hamilton Chapter NSDAR. She enjoyed time with friends, Lisa Snyder of Fort Wayne, Ginger and Vern Kahl of Franklin, Nancy and Gerald Farrell of Wilmington, North Carolina, family, and her church family and friends. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday by Rev. Sean Johnson at Edinburgh United Methodist Church in Edinburgh. Calling will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church and again from 10 a.m. until time of service on Thursday at the church. Burial will at Rest Haven Cemetery in Edinburgh. Arrangements by Eskew-Eaton Funeral Home in Edinburgh.