Rita Votava

PEORIA – Rita Faye Votava, 78, of Peoria, formerly of Princeton, died Monday, February 27, 2023, at the home of family in Edwards, Illinois.

She was born Oct. 30, 1944, in Peoria, Illinois, to Franklin “Frank” and Edna (Moulton) Halley (later Edna Smith).

She is survived by one sister, Mary Smith of East Peoria, Illinois; three children, Michael Votava of Anchorage, Alaska, Frank (Tayler) Votava of Pendleton, Indiana, Anna (Jason) Wilcox of Edwards, Illinois; and two grandsons, Jonathan and Samuel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Clara Kizer, brother Samuel Halley, and grandchild, Woodson Votava. 
Rita graduated from Metamora High School with the Class of 1962.  She worked in the Central Illinois banking industry for over 40 years; 20 years were in the trust department at Citizens First National Bank of Princeton (now Heartland Bank and Trust Company).

Rita enjoyed traveling, reading, sewing, volunteering, art, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She attended First United Methodist Church of Peoria and participated in the Walk to Emmaus.  She was a quiet, humble, and faithful person who was loving and unselfish towards others.  Rita’s positive attitude in the midst of challenging circumstances served as a powerful encouragement for many family members and friends.  Her contagious laugh and one of a kind smile will be remembered by all who had the privilege to get to know her.

In retirement, Rita volunteered in the costume department for Princeton’s Festival 56 theater, was a treasurer for the Perry Memorial Hospital auxiliary (now OSF Saint Clare Medical Center), and served as a Peoria County Election judge and board member for her condominium association.

Cremation rites have been accorded.   

A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday March 11, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Peoria, Illinois, with Dr. Tim Ozment officiating. A visitation will be held from 9 -10:45 a.m., Saturday prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be in Hillcrest Memory Gardens in rural Morton with a reception following at 1:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church 900 East Jefferson Street, Morton, Illinois.

Memorials may be directed to the family for the grandchildren’s college fund.

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center is handling arrangements.

Rita’s memorial website is available at www.knappjohnson.com, where condolences may also be sent to the family.