Obituary of Rita Emma Crookston

With peace and grace, Rita Emma Crookston (Weigand) was called to eternal life on June 22, 2013 at the age of 91. She was born on December 16, 1921 to Conrad and Esther Weigand in Barberton, Ohio. Rita was a lifelong resident of the area. On June 21, 1941 Rita married her husband, Tony. Rita worked for her father as a bookkeeper at Weigand's Service Garage while Tony was serving in World War II. After the war years Rita unselfishly dedicated her life to her family. Through the years her hobbies and interests included playing cards, crafts, winters in Florida, and traveling with her husband. Her unwavering love and devotion was to her husband, children, and the Blessed Mother through countless daily rosaries. Rita was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cleveland. Formerly, she was a member of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church and of Saint Augustine Catholic Church where she belonged to the women's choir and the Altar and Rosary Society. Her life was a perpetual expression of humility and love for others. Rita is preceded in death by her husband Tony of 70 years, her parents Conrad and Esther, siblings Harold, Donald, and Janet, and sons-in-law George and Raymond. Rita is survived by her thirteen children, Pat Reese Peters, Joanne Schmitt (Bob), Carol, Larry (Julie), Dan (Karen), Bill (Paula), Barbara (Sister Mary Jude), Joe (Donna), Marie Luc (Bill), Tony III (Linda), Rita Halmasy (Larry), Frank (Oriana), and Esther Zoeckler (Joe). She will be sadly missed by her 68 grandchildren: George, Charlene, Pam, Brian, Mike, Matt, Bob, Laura, Joan, Jen, Greg, Melinda, Nikki, Andy, Katie, Danny, Linda, Sarah, Rebecca, Ben, Ellen, Ted, Julie, Larry, Tom, Elizabeth, Max, Tony, Bill, Heather, Adam, Rita, Patrick, Elizabeth, Monica, Bernadette, Anne Marie, Paul, Chris, Steve, Denise, Conrad, A.J., Joan, Barb, Maria, Larry, Rachel, Andrew, John, Greta, Joseph, Vincent, Frank, Theresa, Patty, Michael, Gregory, Tanya, Nicholas, Cecilia, Rebecca, Emily, Matthew, Dominic, Joseph, Patrick, and Laurence. Also left behind are her 52 great-grandchildren: Jessica, Courtney, Amanda, Mark, Melissa, Nicole, Maria, Tresa, Charlie, Noah, Isaac, Maya, Andrew, Benjamin, William, Elisabeth, Kate, Thomas, Emma, Allison, Alex, Meghan, Tyler, Elizabeth, Emily, John, Kyle, Stefi, Abby, Brendan, Brooke, Gracie, Lucas, Curtis, Jimmy, George, Daniel Jr., Maya, Nicholas, Tyler, Billy, Taylor, Maya, Mason, Liam, Michael, Zachary, Jason, Kendall, Ava, Conrad Jr., Gabriel, and two expected great-grandchildren. Rita leaves one great-great-granddaughter, Ryliegh. She leaves her dear sisters Dorothy Miller, Margaret (Al) Brescilli, Eileen Slimak, Mary Patton, sister-in-law Marlene Weigand, and a host of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 4129 Superior Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103 or Life Education Fund, 572 W. Market St., Suite 3, Akron, OH 44303. Calling hours are Thursday, June 27th from 3pm to 8pm at Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Funeral Home, 1990 S. Main Street, Akron, OH 44301. Rosary at 8pm. Requiem Mass Friday, June 28th, at 11:00am at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 476 Mull Ave., Akron, OH 44320, Father Frank Godic celebrant. (Anthony, Akron, anthonyfh.com, 330.724.1281)