Elida;       Rita (Nolan) Wilson passed away at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as a result of injuries sustained in a recent automobile accident.

She was born on January 1, 1946 in Celina, Ohio, to Richard and Vera (Beer) Nolan, who preceded her in death.  On March 18, 1967, she married her high school sweetheart, Tom Wilson, who survives.

She graduated from Spencerville High School in 1964. She later graduated from Wright State University in Celina with a bachelor degree in secondary education. She taught 2nd grade at Spencerville Elementary for four years and finished her teaching career at Elida Elementary after 26 years of teaching.

She participated in GAA (Girls Athletic Association) in high school for four years. She was a member of the Lima Baptist Temple and taught and played the piano for the Pathfinders Class, which is a class for adults with special needs, for over 48 years.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Tom, daughters Stephanie (Josh) Shutt-Steinke of Wapakoneta, and Starla (Scot) Ross of Greenville, two sisters Patti (Ken) Gelhaus of Coldwater, and Jean (Al) Rohrbacher of Lake Placid, Florida, brothers in-law George Wilson, Joe (Judy) Wilson, Bill (Glenda) Wilson , Chuck (Bonnie) Wilson and sisters in-law Susie Wilson, Barb Wilson, Sandy Dearth, Sally Denbow and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Tiffani (Beau) Bryant, Nicholas (Hannah Stump) Shutt, Kira Burton, Jessica (Gabe) Swan, Josie Ross, Mason Steinke, and Lucas Steinke. She is also survived by seven great grandchildren, Ryker, Harper, Avery, Kendall, Ezra, Madilynn, and Atticus.

She was preceded in death by brothers-in-law Jim (Nancy) Wilson, Dave Wilson, John Wilson, Jerry (Marilyn) Wilson, Paul Wilson, and sisters-in-law Carol Heil and Mary Kohli.

There will be a visitation from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville. Visitation will continue from 9:30-10:30 a.m. followed by her funeral service at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at the Lima Baptist Temple in Lima with Pastor Gary Hohman and Pastor Ben Anderson officiating. Burial will be at Maplewood Cemetery near Spencerville. Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home in Spencerville is caring for Rita and her family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Lima Baptist Temple, 982 Brower Rd., Lima, Ohio 45801