Rita Gilman

Rita Gilman, age 92, of Savanna, Illinois, passed away Thursday, November 21, 2019 at Allure in Mount Carroll. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 7th, 2019 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savanna. Burial will take place in St. John’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

Rita was born September 2, 1927, to Michael and Margaret (Skibinski) Nowak in Chicago, IL. She attended Savanna schools and worked at the Savanna Army Depot until she married William L Gilman September 9, 1952 at St John's Catholic Church in Savanna. She later worked Duncan's store until their closing. Rita and Bill spent the winters in AZ after retirement.

Rita loved crafting, painting, crocheting and drawings. She and Bill learned ballroom dancing and country western dancing. Rita lit up the room when she was visited by her children and grandchildren. Rita had a warm, caring, loving personality and smile that was welcoming and unforgettable. She loved to cook big meals for holidays, family weekend visits and planning yearly family reunions.

Rita will be dearly missed by her one son William L (Cathy) Gilman, Jr of Lanark; three daughters: Linda (Steve) Schneider of Mt Carroll, Janet (David) Bodell of Tucson, AZ, and Judith Crist of Dubuque; a son-in-law Richard Miller of Mount Carroll; a brother, Clarence (Suzzette) of Glendale, Arizona; 17 grandchildren: Melissa (Brad) Stein; Brent (Kim) Schneider; Brian (Pixie) Schneider; Joshua Schneider; Daniel, Jonathon, Jessica and Benjamin Bodell; Brooke, Courtney, Jacob and Colin Gilman; Cassandra (Adam) Kness and Jennesa (Derick) Atherton; Taylar, Kylee and Traer (McKenzie) Crist; many great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Rita is preceded in death by her husband Bill; her parents; a daughter, Carol; and eight brothers and sisters.