Javie and Paula Hoover
on 09/29/2026 at 12:45 pm
Our Sincere Condolences to the Family🙏
ReplyRita Marie White
Rita Marie White (née, Lee), 90, of Marissa, IL; born on August 18, 1936 in Belleville, IL the daughter of Robert Stewart and Loretta Lee (née, Seppi); passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville.
Rita was a devout Catholic, belonging to both St. Agatha Catholic Church in New Athens and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Sparta. She married Gilbert “Gib” White on October 15, 1955 to whom she shared 48 years of marriage until his passing on March 14, 2004. Many kids may remember her as their first religion teacher who taught them about the words of Jesus and making the angel Christmas ornaments to bring home and hang on their tree. Some kids may remember her as the teacher aid at Marissa Elementary School who made sure the children always ate their veggies, while she cleverly bartered for their dessert. Several kids were blessed to have her as their piano teacher, showing them the beauty of music and how to read it on paper. One thing was for certain, every kid in town remembers Mrs. White’s popcorn balls on Halloween night. She would spend the entire month preparing popcorn balls to please every child and parent in town who came to her door on Halloween night. Rita had a heart of gold and took pride in shaping the lives of every child who crossed her path. She knew the value of morals and took pride in her family who she loved dearly.
Rita is survived by four children – Mike (wife, Ronda) White of Tilden, IL, Doug (wife, Connie) White of Marissa, IL, Kent (wife, Sheila) White of St. Louis, MO, and Lori (husband, Robert) Harrison of Sydney, Australia; eleven grandchildren – Brigette (husband, Chris) Geisen, Bryan (Sara Appel) White, Blake White, Chelsea (husband, Aaron) Campbell, Christopher (wife, Cindy) White, Daniel White, Eric White, Heather (husband, John) Gagliardi, Sarah (husband, Drake) Clemow, Sophia Harrison, and Robert Harrison; sixteen great grandchildren – Brennan (wife, McKayla), Bayleigh (husband, Ethan), Landon, Russell, Ellen, Annabelle, Statler, Staunton, Quinlan, Vivianne, Olivia, Alexandra, Sienna, Penelope, Parker, Palmer, and one on the way; two great great grandchildren – Asher and Cora; one brother – Carl Louis “Torch” Lee of Marissa, IL; one sister – Janet Lenzo of Marissa, IL; nieces and nephews – Clayton (spouse, Missy) Lenzo of Carterville, IL, Douglas (spouse, Raphaelle) Lenzo of San Francisco, CA, Frankie (spouse, Bill) Wolma of Marietta, GA, and Greta White of Spokane, WA; other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother – Robert E. Lee.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and Marissa Public Library.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.heilschuessler.com.
The Visitation will be held at Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home, 111 West Main, Sparta, IL on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 611 West Broadway, Sparta, IL on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m. Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Father Charles Anyaoku officiating. Committal Services will take place at Marissa Township Cemetery.
Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home in Sparta, IL is in charge of arrangements
13 Comments
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LISA on 09/29/2026 at 12:49 pm
MY FRIEND RITA,
I’LL REMEMBER OUR LUNCHES AND TALKS. I WILL MISS YOUR LETTERS.
IT WAS FUN BEING PENPALS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP, AS YOU
TRULY KNEW THE MEANING. I WILL FOREVER REMEMBER. BET YOUR MAKING
POPCORN BALLS IN HEAVEN FOR HALLOWEEN! I WILL MISS YOU.LISA
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Lea Richey Scruggs Barrett on 09/30/2026 at 1:41 am
My condolences to her family and friends, especially Lanet Lenzo and Doug and Connie White. She was a beautiful person and wonderful sister, daughter, wife, mother, and friend to the community. May God strengthen and comfort you as Rita is welcomed to eternal rest.
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The Katt Family on 09/29/2026 at 1:23 pm
So sorry for your loss. Grandma White ( as my kids
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adopted her) made a wonderful impact in many lives.
A wonderful women who shared so much love and caring with soooo many.
Prayers and hugs for the FAMILY.
from the Katt Family. -
Deb Tadlock and family on 09/29/2026 at 1:40 pm
To the loving family of dearest Rita:
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Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. She was such an inspiration to all of the lives she touched. The love of the Lord was so evident in her life. From raising beautiful compassionate children to spreading that love to others. She will never be forgotten. She’s resting in the arms of Jesus in true peace. May you all find comfort knowing she completed her mission God gave her. Amen. -
Pamela Sinn Hargan on 09/29/2026 at 1:54 pm
Rita was a wonderful person and Marissa icon. She and her family were our neighbors for years! We have so many fond memories. She always asked about my kids when I moved away and got married. She never forgot a face and was so kind to everyone she knew. Thoughts and prayers to her entire family.
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Vickie Geisen on 09/29/2026 at 3:32 pm
Sending my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family and all who knew her. She will be sadly missed
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Nanette campbell on 09/29/2026 at 4:40 pm
Mrs White is a Marissa ICON. She filled the room with happiness and joy as she touched the lives of countless children and adults. Her famous popcorn balls will forever be her trademark and legend that generations will remember.
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Deepest sympathies to her family for your loss. We all mourn with you. -
Randy and Lori (Mavers-) Lemieux on 09/29/2026 at 9:13 pm
Rita was a lovely woman. Our sincere condolences to her entire family.
Sincerely, Randy and Lori A (Mavers-) Lemieux
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Mary K Laumbattus on 09/30/2026 at 7:32 am
Rita was a gold nugget to the Marissa Community. I truly admire her for raising a beautiful family. She will be missed and remembered by many. My Deepest Condolences to the Whole Family.
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Jeffrey Boschert on 10/02/2026 at 6:08 am
I’m very sorry to hear about Rita’s passing. She was an incredible matriarch of the White & Lee families, and she will be missed. She was always so thoughtful and kind, and I have fond memories of the many handwritten notes she sent over the years, especially the note she sent when my mother passed. Deborah & I are on travel out of the country, and we are sad to miss celebrating her life with all of you. Praying for God’s grace and comfort during this difficult time.
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Susan (Ames) Schmidt on 10/05/2026 at 9:57 am
So sad to hear about your mom. She has left us with some great & crazy memories. Not sure anyone could ever out-talk her! I think it is in the Seppi gene pool. Sorry we could not be there to celebrate her life. Know that you’re in our thoughts & prayers.💗
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Gene Schifferdecker on 10/07/2026 at 10:47 am
So sorry for your families loss Rita was such a nice person
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and i use to make sure i would get a bite of those popcorn balls
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So sorry for your families loss Rita was such a nice person
and i use to make sure i would get a bite of those popcorn balls
So sad to hear about your mom. She has left us with some great & crazy memories. Not sure anyone could ever out-talk her! I think it is in the Seppi gene pool. Sorry we could not be there to celebrate her life. Know that you’re in our thoughts & prayers.💗
I’m very sorry to hear about Rita’s passing. She was an incredible matriarch of the White & Lee families, and she will be missed. She was always so thoughtful and kind, and I have fond memories of the many handwritten notes she sent over the years, especially the note she sent when my mother passed. Deborah & I are on travel out of the country, and we are sad to miss celebrating her life with all of you. Praying for God’s grace and comfort during this difficult time.
Rita was a gold nugget to the Marissa Community. I truly admire her for raising a beautiful family. She will be missed and remembered by many. My Deepest Condolences to the Whole Family.
Rita was a lovely woman. Our sincere condolences to her entire family.
Sincerely, Randy and Lori A (Mavers-) Lemieux
Mrs White is a Marissa ICON. She filled the room with happiness and joy as she touched the lives of countless children and adults. Her famous popcorn balls will forever be her trademark and legend that generations will remember.
Deepest sympathies to her family for your loss. We all mourn with you.
Sending my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family and all who knew her. She will be sadly missed
Rita was a wonderful person and Marissa icon. She and her family were our neighbors for years! We have so many fond memories. She always asked about my kids when I moved away and got married. She never forgot a face and was so kind to everyone she knew. Thoughts and prayers to her entire family.
To the loving family of dearest Rita:
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. She was such an inspiration to all of the lives she touched. The love of the Lord was so evident in her life. From raising beautiful compassionate children to spreading that love to others. She will never be forgotten. She’s resting in the arms of Jesus in true peace. May you all find comfort knowing she completed her mission God gave her. Amen.
So sorry for your loss. Grandma White ( as my kids
adopted her) made a wonderful impact in many lives.
A wonderful women who shared so much love and caring with soooo many.
Prayers and hugs for the FAMILY.
from the Katt Family.
MY FRIEND RITA,
I’LL REMEMBER OUR LUNCHES AND TALKS. I WILL MISS YOUR LETTERS.
IT WAS FUN BEING PENPALS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP, AS YOU
TRULY KNEW THE MEANING. I WILL FOREVER REMEMBER. BET YOUR MAKING
POPCORN BALLS IN HEAVEN FOR HALLOWEEN! I WILL MISS YOU.
LISA
My condolences to her family and friends, especially Lanet Lenzo and Doug and Connie White. She was a beautiful person and wonderful sister, daughter, wife, mother, and friend to the community. May God strengthen and comfort you as Rita is welcomed to eternal rest.
Our Sincere Condolences to the Family🙏