Rita Mildred Perse

January 18, 1919 - January 24, 2018

Rita M. Perse, age 99 of Toledo passed away peacefully on January 24, 2018 while surrounded by her family at St. Clare Commons, Perrysburg, OH. She was born to Anthony and Bertha (Lemle) Pinkleman on January 18, 1919. She was a graduate of Swanton High School. Rita married Robert W. Perse in 1957 and together they raised their daughter, Kathy. She spent her career working as an Executive Secretary for the Sun Oil Refinery for 40 years until the time of her retirement. She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Needle Arts Guild of Toledo, Past President of Desk and Derrick Club of Toledo, the Toledo Sailing Club and the St. Luke’s Auxiliary. Rita enjoyed needle work, making ceramic dolls, reading, playing cards and traveling. Rita was preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert; her parents; brothers, James and Carl; sisters, Mary Catherine, Frances and Hilda. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Charles) Helmick; grandchildren, Heather (Gary) Stahler, Nathan (Kerstin Walz) Helmick; great-grandsons, Lee and Adam Stahler; sister, Armella (Dave) Heck as well as several nieces and nephews. Friends may visit at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd., on Thursday, February 1st from 2-8 p.m. where a Scripture Service will be recited at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 2nd beginning at 9:15 a.m., in the mortuary, followed by a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 10 a.m. Interment Ft. Meigs Cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Gerry Mahaney, Sister Joy and the staff at St. Clare Commons and Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their compassionate care. Thank you to all her family and friends for visiting and their continued support. In lieu of flowers, memorials may take the form of contributions to OLPH Church or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Please view and sign our online “guest registry” at CoyleFuneralHome.com