Rita Lewis

Passed away February I, 2019 peacefully at home in Kalamazoo. Rita was born March 30, 1920 in Kankakee, Ill. The oldest daughter of Clarence and Bernadette(Schneider) Mershon. June 21, 1952 Rita was united in marriage to Charles (Bud) Lewis who preceded her in death August 7, 1983. Also preceding her were two brothers,David Mershon and Robert Mershon. Surviving are her daughters Cathy (Peter) Vardakis, Glen Ellyn, Ill, Susan Bell (Bill Engel) Kalamazoo, Carol Johnson (Reed Neilsen) Plainwell, one grand daughter, Kristine Vardakis, Glen Ellyn, Ill., one sister, Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Scanlon Kankakee, Ill, 6 neices Mary Ellen Scanlon Galesburg, Ill, Ann Scanlon Kankakee, Ill, Amy Billups Grand Forks, N.D., Vicki Hunter League City, Tx, Cynthia Stevens Humble, Tx and Sharon DuPree Dickinson, Tx. 3 nephews Michael Mershon, Grand Forks ND, Matthew Thiesen and Mark Thiesen Kankakee, Ill. The family wishes to acknowledge her special friends Lucy (James) Miller, her wonderful care givers, Katie Batts and Mary Mullins and neighbors Jerry and Janice Snedeker and Sheila and Gary Bigelow. Rita was a telephone operator in the WAC's during WWII and served in England, France and Belgium. Rita marched in Paris on VE Day May 8, 1945, she was a member of American Legion Post 475 auxiliary in Schoolcraft. Visitation will be from 5-7pm at the Avink Funeral in Schoolcraft Wednesday Feb. 6,2019 with the service at 11AM Thursday Feb. 7, 2019 and Burial in Schoolcraft Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at American Legion Post 475 in Schoolcraft. Memorial contribution may be made to Rose Arbor Hospice of Southwest Michigan. Please go to her webpage to leave a message for her family at www.avinkcremation.com