(Moved To Wauseon In 2019)
Rita Charlotte Howard, age 94, went to be with Jesus on November 26, 2024 at Fulton Manor, Wauseon OH.
She was born in Cleveland OH on March 23, 1930 to Myron and Clara (Lazarski) Schefft. Rita grew up in Cleveland and Lakewood OH, graduating from Lakewood High School.
After her first marriage ended, Rita met the love of her life, Jay Howard. They married in 1962 and Jay became dad to her 2 young daughters. Rita worked many years in the restaurant industry while Jay was a Cleveland policeman.
When they retired, they travelled the country in their motor home and finally settled in Port Orange FL. They loved the water, sunshine, beaches and fishing. She was an immaculate housekeeper and took much pride in Jay’s artistic skills.
After Jay’s passing in 1989, Rita knew that to be independent, she had to learn how to drive. At the age of 62, she took driving lessons and was so proud when she passed! Rita then met Edgar Platel, also a retired policeman, and they married.
They enjoyed dancing and going to dog and horse races. After Edgar died in 2011, she volunteered at the Salvation Army to help feed people and continued to live in her Port Orange home.
In 2019, she moved to Wauseon OH to be near her daughter, Deborah. Rita will best be known for her kind heart and compassion.
She was preceded in death by her parents Myron Schefft, Clara Schefft Young; stepfather William Young; husbands Jay Howard and Edgar Platel; brother Eugene Schefft; sisters Barbara Feorene and Elaine Jingles; and niece Dawn Feorene Ciolli.
Surviving are her children, Constance (Thomas) Loos of North Ridgeville OH and Deborah (Ronald) Stutesman of Lyons OH; grandchildren Ryan (Kristyn) Loos, Scott (Joanne) Loos, Kevin (Reesa) Loos, and Julie (Eric) Kinnear; 12 great-grandchildren; special niece and nephews Laurie Larson, Jeff (Cindy) Larson, Brent (Donna) Feorene; nephew-in-law Chris Ciolli; special friends Mark and Lisa Seiferth and son Cole, and Sally Carr.
Thank you to the staff of Fulton Manor, Waite Nightingales and Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their care for her. A memorial service will be held at East Chesterfield Christian Church, 14901 County Rd. 14, Lyons OH 43533 on Saturday, December 7 at 11:00 am. Her cremains will be placed at Lakewood Park Cemetery, Rocky River OH at a later date.
Arrangements are entrusted to Barnes Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 5825 St. Hwy. 109, Delta OH 43515. Those wishing a show of sympathy may consider a contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942 in Rita’s memory.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barnesfuneralchapel.com. Rita’s obituary was lovingly prepared by her family.
In the Nursing Home
By Jane Kenyon
She is like a horse grazing a hill pasture that someone makes smaller by coming in every night to pull the fences in and in. She has stopped running wide loops, stopped even the tight circles. She drops her head to feed; grass is dust, and the creek bed’s dry Master, come with your light halter. Come and bring her in.