Rita D. Coleman Hill, 78, of La Porte, died Monday, May 11, 2009 at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
She was born Jan. 15, 1931, in West Hartford, Vt., daughter of the late Percy Beecher and Blanche M. (Hazen) Mills Sr.
She was married to James E. Coleman Jr. who preceded her in death. She then was married on July 4, 1981 in La Porte, to Mylan “Hoppy” Hill who preceded her in death Jan. 8, 2004.
She was a member of Lambs Chapel United Methodist Church, Terra Verde Garden Club, Moose Lodge 938 in Michigan City, supporter of the Wall Gang, Dunes County Quilters, Six Quilting Stitchers, VFW Auxiliary Post 1130, Craft Club of Free Methodist Church of Michigan City and the Bunco Club.
She retired from Kabelin True Value and also drove a school bus for Michigan City School Corporation.
Surviving are a daughter, Kathryn M. (Gary) Brown of La Porte, four sons, James “Digger” (Patti) Coleman of La Porte, Charles L. (Georgia) Coleman Sr. of Michigan City, Randall M. (Linda) Coleman of Michigan City, and Harold “Paul” Coleman of La Porte; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Freida Cooley of Windsor, Vt., Sue Armstrong of Groveton, N.H., Mary Labine of Middleburg, Fla., Irene Hill of White River Junction, Vt., two brothers, Percy Mills Sr. of Lyndebourgh, N.H., and Gerald Mills of Plainfield, N.H.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; Leon and Garnet Mills, and sister, Fern Lusco.
There will be a time of visitation on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 from 2 to 7 p.m. with a Moose Memorial Service at 4 p.m. and on Thursday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 14, 2009 at Cutler Funeral Home with Rev. Jay Loucks officiating. Interment will follow in Pine Lake Cemetery, La Porte.
Contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674 or Lambs Chapel United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 6006 North Fail Road, La Porte, IN 46350.