Rita Bontz

STERLING – Rita Bontz, 93, of Sterling, passed away Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, at CGH Medical Center in Sterling, with her loving family by her side.

Rita was born in Dixon, the daughter of Mary Gleason Rock and Thomas Rock. She graduated from Newman High School in Sterling and worked at the Defense Plant in Dixon in the early years of World War II. She married Maynard Bontz on Sept. 3, 1942, in Harmon.

Rita and Maynard lived in the rural Harmon area where they farmed. Later, they operated the Victory Cafe on Route 26-30, and the Bontz's Beehive Restaurant in Ohio. Maynard died on Dec. 21, 1988. Rita operated the restaurant for
6 more years.

She later married Bob Anderson of Ohio in 2002. Rita and Bob did extensive traveling, spending many winters in Arizona, and visiting his son Jim in Mexico. Bob died in 2014. Rita was an avid gardener who loved flowers and she enjoyed decorating and travelling. She liked playing cards, doing crossword puzzles, and listening to ‘40s music.

The family would like to thank retirement homes Greenfield in Princeton and Parkway Center in Sterling, as well as the CGH Medical Center staff for their kindness and expertise in caring for Rita.

She is survived by five children, Barb (Jim) Ekstrum of Dunlap, Ron (Doreen) of Rock Falls, Louie (Barb) of LaSalle, Deb (George) of Montgomery, and Greg Bontz of Sterling; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; a sister, Anne Vock of Polo; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She also was preceded in death by her brother, John Rock; sisters, Eileen Oester and Irene Shaw; granddaughter, Jennifer Bontz; son-in-law, Ron George; and daughter-in-law, Mary Bontz.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, and the funeral at
11 a.m. Saturday at Garland Funeral Home in Walnut. Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery in Ohio.

Memorials have been established to the Ohio Fire Department and St. Mary Cemetery in Ohio.

Visit garlandfuneralhome.com to send condolences.