Rita M. Smith

Rita M. Smith, 92, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2023.  Rita was born in Aurora on September 25, 1930.  Her parents were Edmund H. Schindel and Rita O. Zelinka Schindel.  She was the oldest of their eight children and grew up in a happy, loving family surrounded by siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and many wonderful friends.  After graduating from Northern Illinois State Normal School in DeKalb (’52) with a degree in teaching, she worked for many years as a reading specialist.  Rita married Michael F. Smith in 1954 and had four children, Michael Thomas, Kimberly Ann, Karen Lynn and Karla Marie.  Michael and Kimberly preceded her in death. As well as her two daughters Karen and Karla, Rita in her later years spent extended family time with her Grandson Matthew Jordan (Christie  and her sons Dominick, Tyler and Ashton)  and Matt’s children, Jacob (Melissa), Mariah, Madison and Kelly Ready. She also shared her life with Grandson Andrew (Jessica) Jordan and children Olivia, Michael and Lexi. Rita so enjoyed her time with 3-year-old little Michael (Baby), who brought real joy into her life, reading extensively to him and embracing his joyful personality.  She is survived by her grandchildren, Dustin (Kelly) Loberg of Wentzville, MO, Ryan (Trina) Loberg of Marion, IL, Michael (Andrew) Loberg of Peoria, IL and Lenny (Emily) Loberg of Elburn, IL.  Her beloved canine, Tango Smith, was her devoted, constant companion.  A nod with affection from her nephew Luke Moore who thoroughly enjoyed her endless sense of humor.  Rita was a great storyteller and often reminisced about the early days growing up on Fourth Avenue, visits from her German speaking relatives, working at her grandfather’s soda fountain and candy counter in the pharmacy, school days at Our Lady of Good Counsel and all the antics that go along with such a large family.  Shortly after the ban on prohibition, with her father Edmund Jr, young Rita accompanied him to canvass the neighborhood near the corner of Fifth Avenue and Hinman Street in Aurora to collect signatures.  In 1936 the family opened what became the iconic Schindel’s Tavern in the old German neighborhood. The Tavern shared a building with Schindel’s Pharmacy owned by Edmund Sr., his father and Rita’s grandfather.  Over the next 70+ years, Rita's father Ed Jr, husband Mickey, brother Bobby and son Michael were all proprietors. Rita is survived by two brothers and one sister, Edmund (Emma) Schindel of Chandler, AZ, Richard (Susan) Schindel of Aurora, and Linda Schindel Moore of Vail, CO.  Four of her siblings preceded her in death.  Sisters Dolores (Ed) Grams of Elburn, IL   Marion (Bob) Todd of Crystal Lake, IL, Kathleen (Felix) Schindel Williams of Aurora, IL and brother Robert (Fran) Schindel of Aurora, IL.   She is survived by numerous and loving great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and other beloved family and friends. Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 24th from 10 till 12 noon at Dieterle Memorial Home, 1120 S. Broadway, Montgomery, IL.  Funeral Mass will follow at 12:30pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 620 Fifth Street, Aurora, IL.  Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Aurora. For guestbook and directions visit www.dieterlememorialhome.com 630-897-1196