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Rita V. (Bonifas) Kilbarger




Rita V. (Bonifas) Kilbarger, age 90, of Lancaster, passed away March 2, 2015, at the Pickering House, in Lancaster.

Rita was born February 16, 1925, to the late Linus and Henrietta (Pohlman) Bonifas, in Van Wert County, Landeck, Ohio.

She was united in marriage in St. John’s Catholic Church, Delphos, Ohio, to Jerome D. Kilbarger on March 31, 1948, who preceded her in death, October 3, 1980.

Rita was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church and previously St. Bernadette Church, Lancaster.

She is survived by daughters, Theresa (Jerry) Daniels of Rushville and Alice (Michael) Engle of Mt. Vernon; sons, Roger (Mary) Kilbarger, of Thornville, Paul (Nancy) Kilbarger, of Millersport, and David Kilbarger, of Lancaster; grandchildren, Ryan (Jennifer) Kilbarger, Jennifer (Thomas) Kemper, Kristin (Josh) Sims, Christopher, Matthew, and Elizabeth Engle; great-Grandchildren, William and Andrew Kilbarger, Taylor McKenzie Kemper, and Charles Sims; brother, George (Dorothy) Bonifas, of Landeck; sisters, Sister Mary Lucy Bonifas, of Paducah, KY, Agnes (Eugene) Krietemeyer, of Ft. Jennings, Ohio, and Velma (Jim) Frei- Beckman, of West Milton, Ohio.

In addition to her parents and husband, Rita was preceded in death by a daughter, Doris Kilbarger, February 24, 1964; brothers, Father Roger Bonifas, Rufus Bonifas, and Ralph Bonifas; sisters-in-laws, Elizabeth (Betty) Bonifas, and Melba Bonifas; and brother-in-law, Arthur “Art” Frei.

Rita devoted all of her time and energy into taking care of her family. She was active in St. Bernadette Church which included initiating the funeral luncheon program.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2015, at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 132 S. High St., Lancaster with Father Craig Eilerman, Celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery.

Friends may visit from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday with a vigil service at 7:30 PM at Sheridan Funeral Home, 222 S. Columbus St., Lancaster.

Donations may be made in memory of Rita to FairHoPe Hospice, 282 Sells Rd., Lancaster, Ohio 43130. Online condolences can be made at www.sheridanfunerhome.net



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