Rita I. Lambert

Rita I. Lambert, 63, of Grover Hill, died at 9 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2012, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.

She was born September 10, 1948, in Van Wert, the daughter of the late Erwin D. and Harriet (Long) Eaken. She married Richard Lambert, who survives in Grover Hill.

Other survivors include four children, Patty (Chris) Schaffer of Ney, Cheryl (Steve) Schauer of Twin Lake, Mich., Marlene (James) Jewell of Grover Hill and Ryan Lambert of Defiance; a brother, Dana (Pam) Eaken of Antwerp; five sisters, Margaret (Walt) Womack of Antwerp, Shirley (Ron) Myers of Sturgis, Mich., Marjorie McBride of Fort Wayne, Donna (Galen) Dettmer of Yoder, Ind., and Marcella (Bob) Blackmore of Payne; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A brother, Tim Eaken; and two grandchildren, Haley Schauer and Blake Jewell, also preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 5 p.m. Sunday, February 19, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with evangelist Lonnie Lambert officiating.

Calling hours are from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, February 19, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: Oakwood Church of Christ.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.alspachgearhart.com.