Rita K. Baumgartner

Rita K. Baumgartner, 46 of Vera Cruz passed away at 1:00 a.m. on Friday, September 12, 2014, at her residence. Rita was born on January 29, 1968 in Wells County to Franklin Everett & Pamela Kay (Heniscey) Hultz. She was a 1986 graduate of Bluffton High School. Rita worked at Gerber Super Value, The Keebler Company, and Key Fasteners in Berne. She has worked at Pretzel’s Inc. in Bluffton for the last 11 years. She attended the St. Johns’ Family Worship Center C.C.C.U. in Vera Cruz. On June 29, 1996 in Bluffton she married Harry H. Jr. “Sonny” Baumgartner in Bluffton. She is survived by her husband Sonny and mother Pamela, both of Vera Cruz along with siblings; Troy Alan Hultz of Indianapolis, Scott (Lisa) Alan Hultz of Bluffton, Rose (James) Marshall of Bluffton, Sheree Hollingsworth of Bluffton, Shane (Joan) Hultz of Albany, Indiana. She is also survived by nieces/nephews; Darci (James) King and children Lilly and Izabell King of Bluffton, Chelsea Caldwell and child, Rozelynn Alejandra Lee Caldwell, Derek (Jennifer) Scott Hultz and children: Keaton & Nolan Hultz along with step- great nieces and nephews Haylie Byrd, Andrea Byrd and Alexia Rodewald all of Fort Wayne. Pastor Nathan (Elizabeth) Hultz and Avery Hultz of Finley, Ohio, and a step-niece Kelsey Marshall of Bluffton. Rita is also survived by her in-laws; Hilda May Baumgartner of Vera Cruz, Dennis J. (Petra) Baumgartner and son Jonathan of Bluffton, Debra May Studebaker of Bluffton and nephew and niece Matt Studebaker, Sonja Studebaker and daughter Sierra, Blane (Ashley) Moser and daughter Nova. She is preceded in death by her father and grandparents; Walter & Mildred Heniscey, Everett & Mary Hultz, Emil Baumgartner, Herman (Savana) Baumgartner, Abe & Ida Aborn, Clarence & Marydale Kahn and Robert & Flosie Holmes, along with a niece Chastity L. Bradley, two nephews Harley A. Bradley, Jr, and Dusty E. Hultz, and her father-in-law Harry H. Baumgartner and a brother in law Rex Allen Baumgartner. A service to celebrate Rita’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Pastor Don Rentschler will officiate. Calling hours will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday prior to the service. Burial will follow at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Dunkirk, Indiana. Memorials may be made in Rita’s memory to Family Life Care of Berne or to the Steve Kelly Cancer Relief Fund. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can send online condolences to Rita’s family at www.thomarich.com.

Rita K. Baumgartner

January 29, 1968 - September 12, 2014