Rita Merkle (née DiSpaldo) age 89, passed away peacefully at home on November 27, 2022. She is survived by her beloved husband of 68 years, William Merkle. Devoted mother of Edward (Angela), Kim, Donna (Franny), Stacey (Amos) and Maria (Edward). Loving grandmother to Nicole (Late Anthony), William (Jennifer), Samantha (Corey), Joshua, Nathan, Jeremy, Grace, Luca, Chase, Nate, Zach. Sister of the late Toni Schraga, Angelo, Thomas, Louis, and Domenic DiSpaldo
Rita was born May 22, 1933, in South Philadelphia to Joseph and Maria (DiSpaldo). She met William Joseph Merkle while working at INA in Center City. Rita and Bill married June 11, 1954. They raised their five children in Southwest Philadelphia, moved to Westmont, NJ in 1984, and then to Sicklerville, NJ in 1997.
Rita had a gift of connecting with all people on a warm, personal level. To know Rita was to love her. An enthusiast of games such as crossword puzzles, cards, especially Pinochle, Mahjong, shuffleboard, and bowling. Socially, she attended bus trips, events at the clubhouse, and was an eight-year member of The Red Hats Society, Chapter, Sophisticated Seniors, in Sicklerville, NJ.
Relatives and friends are invited to her Viewing Thurs Dec. 1, 2022, starting at 9:30-10:45am at St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church where the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine
135 N. Whitehorse Pike, Lindenwold, NJ 08021
Funeral Mass 11am. Interment will be private.
Arrangements by Danjolell – Stigale Memorial Home of Aston.
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