Rita Hess, 87, of Bartonville, Illinois, passed away Sunday, July 30, 2017 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 8, 1930 in Port Deposit, Maryland to Carmen "Frank"and Louise (Smith) DeMar. She married Sidney Pittman on November 2, 1946 in Maryland. She later married Wallace "Bud" Hess on April 6, 1952 in Bloomington, Illinois. He preceded her in death on June 28, 2002 in Bartonville, Illinois. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Frank (Buddy) DeMar, John (Jiggs) DeMar, and one infant brother and one great grandson.

She is survived by five children, Ronald Hess of Yates City, Jerry (Jacqueline) Hess of Bartonville, Jeffrey (Katrina) Pittman Hess of St. Petersburg, Florida, Michael (Bev) Hess of Bartonville and one daughter, Toni Foreaker of Bartonville. She has 13 grandchildren, many great grandchildren; three sisters, Berneice (Bebo) Rakes of Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, Bonita DeMar of Milford, Delaware and Marietta (Susie) Henrikson of Clayton, Delaware. She has many nieces and nephews.

Rita worked over 15 years at Sears and Roebuck Store retiring in 1985. She was the past president and member of the Boatin' Belles of the Pekin Boat Club, Life member of the Womens Auxillary of the Bartonville American Legion Post #979, life member of the Womens Auxillary of the VFW Post 3883 of Bartonville, Italian American Society, Women of the Moose #673 of Pekin and the Femmes Unir Club of Bartonville. She was also a member of the Sears Retirees Club.

Funeral services will be Friday, August 4, 2017 at 10:00 am at the Davison Fulton Bartonville Chapel. Father David Heinz will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 pm Thursday at the funeral chapel. Burial will be at the Kingston Mines Cemetery in Kingston Mines. Memorials may be made to the Dream Center of Peoria, St Jude Midwest Affiliate or to the Bartonville Relay For Life .