Rita C. Schmitt , 86, of Haubstadt,  passed away on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville.

She was born to the late Carl and Gertrude (Titzer) Elpers on June 13, 1926 in Vanderburgh County.

She was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Haubstadt, where she was a member of the altar society.  She was also a member of VFW Post 2714 Womens Auxiliary, and  St. Vincent Depaul.

Besides her parents, Rita is preceded in death by her husband, Anthony M. Schmitt, who passed away on Feb. 26, 2006, and three brothers, Marvin P., Joe, and Charles Elpers.

Rita is survived by 11 children and their spouses, Anthony E. (Margaret) Schmitt of St. Wendel, Michael O. (Mary) Schmitt of Jasper, Imogene (Don) Kurre of North Platt, Neb., Maggie (Steven) Nottingham of Poseyville, Joe (Millie) Schmitt of Haubstadt,  Walter (Sherry) Schmitt of Fort Branch, Mary Ann (Steve) Nelson of Fort Branch, Annette (Sam) Scott of Owensville, Diana (Alan) Schmitt of Poseyville, Cindy Schmitt of Haubstadt, and Jon (Beth) Schmitt of Fort Branch, 25 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.  She is also survived by two brothers and a sister, Marian Adler of Darmstadt, Bill Elpers of Darmstadt, and John Elpers Sr. of St. Wendel.

A Mass of Christian burial will be conducted Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 10 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Haubstadt, with Father Tony Ernst and Father Eugene Schmitt co-celebrants.  Burial will be in the church cemetery. 

Visitation will be Tuesday, June 26, 2012 from 2-8 p.m. at Stodghill Funeral Home on Ind. 168 West in Fort Branch, and again from 9 a.m. until service time at the church Wednesday.  A rosary will be recited by the church parish at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home Tuesday evening.