Rita Rosina (Stockmaster) Ruhl, 85, of the Eastside of Toledo, Ohio, died on Wednesday, October 8, 2008, at the home of her friends, Douglas and Sandra, who considered Rita an adopted mother. She was born on September 22, 1923, in East Toledo, formerly known as Ironville, to Anthony L. (1949) and Frances R. (1940) (Pfitzer) Stockmaster. Rita was one of two sets of twins. Rita's twin was Richard L. and the other set of twins were John J. and James J. She married Thomas V. Yancy in 1944, divorced, and then re-married Herbert H. Ruhl Sr. on May 27, 1972, in Congregational Christian Church. He passed away on January 15, 1995. Rita was member of St. Thomas Catholic Church and the VFW Ladies' Auxiliary #2984 in Northwood, OH. She worked for White Tower, downtown, along with other Toledo area restaurants, and operated the kitchen at VFW Post #2984 on Saturday nights for many years. She was an avid volunteer who helped feed the less-fortunate at the St. Louis Catholic Church and also volunteered her services at the VFW Post by assisting with breakfast on Sundays and fish frys on Friday nights. Rita is survived by her niece, Thelma (Roger) Scarborough, Lemoyne OH; stepsons, Bernard T. Yancy and Leonard Yancy; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter (1953); her parents; brothers, Joseph "Martin" (1960), Lawrence A. (1931), Frederick "Fred" D. (1974), James J. (2002), John J. (1983) and Richard J. (1999); sisters, Mary F. Osinski (1994) and Theresa F. Hofbauer-Parkos (1998). Funeral services will be private under the care of Hoeflinger-Bolander Funeral Home, 3500 Navarre Ave., Oregon, OH. The family would like to thank Rita's special friends and caregivers, Doug and Sandy, and the staff at Heartland Hospice on Central Ave for their loving care and support.

Published in Toledo Blade on Oct. 12, 2008