Rita J. Rowland, 79, of rural Wabash, Indiana, passed peacefully at 9:10 pm, Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Parkview Logansport Hospital in Logansport, Indiana. She was born on April 5, 1946, in Wabash, to Fred and Ruby (Gilley) DeVore.
Rita attended Wabash High School and was a team leader at Hiz Incorporated in Wabash for 15 years. She was a current member of LaFontaine Christian Church and a former long time member of the Treaty Church of Christ, where she taught Sunday School for 15 years. She enjoyed reading, diamond dotting, and being on the go, but above all else her grandchildren were her passion.
She is survived by two children, Kellie (John) Minkler and Bill Rowland, both of Wabash; 6 grandchildren, Joshua Burton, Jennifer (Seth) Denney, Jerrianne (Seth Dillon) DeLong, Jordan Rowland, Jamie (Jenna) Minkler, and Lexi (Cody) Ranger; seven great grandchildren, Justyce, Jacoby, Jaren, Jaylah, Braxton, Brody, and Nevaeh; and her sister, Dixie Hoffman of Machesney Park, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Wayne DeVore and Hessel DeVore, and her sister, Kay Thompson.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Brad Wright officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 12-2 pm Saturday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorials are Arc of Wabash County or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
The memorial guest book for Rita may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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