Rita M. Clark

Rita Mae (Villa) Clark, age 81, of Oregon, Ohio passed away on Sunday, April 08, 2018, at The Manor at Perrysburg surrounded by her family after battling Alzheimer’s. She was born on June 9, 1936, in Toledo, Ohio to Ralph, Sr. and Lillian (Truby) Villa. Rita attended Waite High School and was a former member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. On February 3, 1967, she married Robert Clark Sr. Together they raised a blended family of nine children and had an open door policy where friends and family consistently gathered. If you needed a minute of serenity from the craziness inside the house, you could enjoy the screened-in back porch and “Clark Park”. Rita and Bob’s backyard was where she spent many hours lovingly tending to her flower garden. Rita enjoyed spending time with and doctoring her family, like it or not. She was the go-to for medical advice, care-taking, and the tough love that is sometimes needed for healing and therapy. When she was cold, everyone had to put on a sweater. She also made sure everyone felt her love by crafting gifts for them including ceramics, clothes, cakes, blankets, and memory quilts that included fabric from her children’s clothing. Rita was employed at Food Town, prior to becoming an LPN and working as a nurse at St. Charles Hospital for many years. She also worked for the Lucas County Board of Elections and Hoeflinger-Bolander Funeral Home, where she planned trips for seniors to neighboring tourist attractions and historical sites. Come August, the German- American Festival will be a little quieter this year without her smile and laughter in the Winegarten. Rita is survived by her loving children, Karen Huber (Evan), Kenneth Gallaher (Eileen), Patrick Gallaher Jr. (Linda), Jeffrey Gallaher (Elizabeth), Carroll Jennison (James), Patti Clark (Tim), Robert Clark Jr. (Christy) and Maria Andrews (Gordon); 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; siblings, Patricia Ziegler, Louis Villa, Rose Morton, and sister-in-law Carol Villa; many nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Clark Sr.; son, Michael Clark; mother, Lillian and Arthur Petz; father, Ralph Villa Sr., and Joyce Villa; brother, Ralph Villa Jr.; and brother-in-law, Victor Ziegler. The family would like to thank Hospice of Northwest Ohio, especially Maegan Krumm, for providing essential care. In addition, a special thank you to The Manor at Perrysburg, especially B Hall aides and nurses, who took excellent care of her and the entire family during this difficult time. Their phenomenal care and attention meant the world to everyone who loved Rita. “Whatever happens at Grandma’s, never happened.” Her life will live on through her large family and the stories they share with laughter and a toast in her honor. We love you, Mom/Grandma. Family and friends may visit the Hoeflinger-Shank Funeral Home, 3500 Navarre Avenue in Oregon on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, from 2-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home on Thursday, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Lake Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Online condolences can be made at hoeflingerfuneralhome.com.