Rita G. Byer, 77 of Willshire, Ohio died at 11:45 a.m., Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at the Chalet Village Health & Rehab in Berne, Indiana. She was born on December 9, 1939 in Adams County, Indiana, the daughter of the late Joseph and Esther (Steiner) Hartnett. On July 12, 1963, she, married Leon Lee Byer, who survives. Rita was a homemaker and babysitter. She loved her kids. She was a former member of the Willshire United Brethren in Christ Church, where she was a member of the Women's Missionary Association, active in the U.B children's ministry; former President of the U.B. Church; she also had been attending the Pleasant Mills Baptist Church in Pleasant Mills, Indiana. She had her home baking license.- decorating cakes over the years for special occasions. Family survivors include her husband, Leon; son Michael L. Byer of Lima; daughter, Karla J. (Carey) Free of Decatur; two sisters, M. Anne Schoeff of Greenville, Ohio and J. Kaye Hartman of Van Buren, Indiana; two grandsons, Taylor R. (Brittany Sinn and her three children) Free and Trevor R. Free; and one great grandchild on the way. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, November 25, 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Pastor Bob Shook.. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, November 24, 3-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment is at Willshire Cemetery in Willshire, Ohio. Memorial contribution to the Pleasant Mills Baptist Church, Gideon's International, or Hospice. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com.