Rita Davis

Rita Margaret Davis, 79, died at 8:40 p.m., Monday, June 6, 2011 at St. Anthony's Hospital in Alton after a long and courageous battle with cancer.She was born in Hardin on March 14, 1932, one of eight children born to the late Charles & Mary (Woelfel) Schleeper.A devoted wife and mother, Rita was took an active role in the lives of her children, supporting them with her love and guidance.  The number of school events and sporting events that she has attended on behalf of both her children and grandchildren can not be counted.  She was her families biggest supporter.She assisted in the family business, Buzz Body Shop, as a bookkeeper for many years, and was an active and loyal member of the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville.She married Claude J. "Buzz" Davis on Feb. 3, 1951 at the rectory of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville, and their 60 years of marriage has been blessed with six children along with their families.Surviving are her husband; three daughters & sons in law, Linda & Greg Burton, Christine "Tina" Davis all of Jerseyville, and Mary & Eric Friedel of Golden Eagle; two sons & daughters in law, Rick & Terri Davis of Shipman, and Tim & Ginger Davis of Jerseyville; a daughter in law, Beth Ann Davis of Jerseyville; 15 Grandchildren & their spouses, Paul & Crystal Davis of Bunker Hill, Carrie & Ryan Decker of Grafton, Kristen & Phillip Hunter, Lindsy & John Phillips, Julia Davis, Stephanie & Curtis Winder all of Jerseyville, Sarah Davis of Belleville, Diane & Ben Tepen of Batchtown, Dana Burton of Jerseyville, Lauren Davis of Alton, Clayton Murphy of Golden Eagle, Joseph & Christina Davis of Washington state, Paula Murphy of Golden Eagle, Ethan Davis and Patrick Davis of Jerseyville; two stepchildren, Elaina & Loren Haug of Wichita Falls, Tx., and Brett Friedel of Meppen; eight great grandchildren; three step great grandchildren; and two sisters, Edith Dorsey of Alton, and Catherine Turpin of Jerseyville.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, John C. Davis; a granddaughter, Jennifer (Davis) Cundiff; a great granddaughter, Madison Cundiff; a son in law, Dwight Murphy; two brothers, Aloys Schleeper & Joseph Schleeper; and three sisters, Sister Mary Paula Schleeper, Helen Barry and Edna Mae Dover.Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where a rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m.A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Friday at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Father William Hembrow officiating.Burial will be in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Jerseyville.Memorials may be given to the St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic Schools of Jerseyville.

Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home