was born on February 1, 1945, in Danville, Illinois, and raised on a farm in nearby Catlin, Illinois. She was the only child of Lloyd and Ruth Elmore. Her family attended Fairview Methodist Church, and in her teen years she became the church pianist. God was preparing her even then for her future ministry. She and her husband Joe met at the University of Illinois and were married in Quantico, Virginia, where Joe was in Marine Officer School. After Joersquo;s service in the Marine Corps, he went to work for Kraft Foods and the family (now including Becky) moved to northern Illinois. They began attending a newly planted church and became charter members of Lena Baptist Church near Rockford, Illinois. It was there that Joe came to know the Lord as his Savior. A year later (in 1969) the family (now including Karen) moved to Hoopeston, Illinois, and began attending the First Baptist Church. It was there in the fall of 1970 that Rita accepted Christ as her personal Savior. The four years in Hoopeston, under the guidance of Pastor Jack Wagoner, were times of great opportunity for service and growth in the Lord. Here Rita was again able to use her talent for piano and her special gift for encouraging others. God called Joe and Rita into pastoral ministry in 1973 and the family (now including Jeff) moved to Winona Lake, Indiana. While Joe was attending Grace Seminary, Rita drove a school bus for Warsaw Christian School and nurtured the family. During those years, she and Joe lead the junior church program at the nearby Burr Oak Baptist Church. During the following 40 years of ministry in three different churches, Rita continued to serve the Lord as church pianist. She was an ideal pastorrsquo;s wife; ready for any challenge. From 1976 to 1983, the family lived in St. Joseph, Michigan, where Joe pastored the North Lincoln Baptist Church. Rita raised and nurtured the family, led the womenrsquo;s soul-winning ministry, and served as a Sunday School bus captain and driver. The family moved to the Pontiac area in 1984 where Rita and Joe served at Emmanuel Baptist Church and Midwestern Baptist College. With the children grown, Rita continued her education as a tax preparer and bookkeeper and served as church secretary for Dr. Malone and Dr. Holman. In 1993, Rita and Joe moved to Urbana, Ohio, where Joe pastored the Grace Baptist Church. Rita was the church pianist and counselor and friend to the women of the church. They returned to the Pontiac area in 2004 to serve once again at Midwestern. At Midwestern Baptist College, she served as treasurer of the college. She was ever the friend of the students; they always found her ready to listen, ready to laugh and encourage them. Through the years she continued to be a faithful witness for Christ and a good friend and counselor to many, both in the church and out. Her cheerful attitude and practical advice were an encouragement to so many. She has left a multitude of friends around the country and indeed the world. Rita is the beloved wife of Joe; loving mother of Becky (Dan) Gilbert, Karen Fortna and Jeff Fortna; caring grandmother of Alex (Paige) Gilbert.