Rita M. (Rovai) Bartell (nee Livingstone)

Rita M. (Rovai) Bartell (nee Livingstone), 96, of Griffith, Indiana, went safely home to God on August 30, 2023. 

Rita was born on May 27, 1927 and grew up in Hammond, Indiana. She attended All Saints Elementary School followed by Irving Junior High. She graduated from Hammond High School in 1945 and accepted a job as the school secretary at Washington Irving School in Hammond working for O.B Hayward. Rita presently lived in Griffith, Indiana after living in Hammond, Indiana, Highland, Indiana, and later Sister Lakes, Michigan.

She married Fred Rovai in 1948, who preceded her in death in 1968. She became the wife of Charles W. Bartell in 1970. He died in 1997. She was also preceded in death by her son Fred Rovai Jr., her parents, Sam and Ida Livingstone, her daughter-in-law, Consuelo Rovai, two brothers and their spouses, John (Kay) Livingston, and Robert (Jeanne) Livingstone, a sister and her two spouses Marian (Garth) Griffin and (Chester Enright), special friend, Kenneth Clayton, and a host of close friends.

Rita is survived by two daughters, Susan Thon (Bill) of Griffith, Indiana, and Karen Clendenning (Ken) of Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is also survived by a son, Joseph Rovai of San Diego, California, and daughter-in-law Cynthia Rovai of Lebanon, Ohio. Rita has 9 grandchildren, Kristen Brucer (James), Matthew Thon (Leah), Joshua Rovai (Emily), Amy Rovai-Estep (Travis), Alison Bauer (Casey), Aaron Clendenning (Catherine), Katherine Clendenning, Samantha and Andrew Rovai, 16 great-grandchildren, Zachary, Madison, Roger, Eli, Elle, Emmett, Nolan, Colton, Mason, Zane, Juniper, Tori, Charlotte, Gadsden, Cadence, and Aiden. Also survived are several nieces and nephews.

Rita was a homemaker and for eight and a half years the proprietor of Fred's Tap and Liquor Store in Griffith. She was Grand Board President of the Phi Epsilon Kappa Sorority and secretary/treasurer of the Curran Beach Association on Magician Lake. Rita was a member of the Rosary Sodality of Sacred Heart of Mary Church in Sister Lakes, Michigan, later accepting the position of president. She was also an active member of the Church Council. 

From the time she was an adolescent, Rita found she not only had a love for dance, but was good at it. Even well into her 70's, she could be found on the dance floor! Rita liked to read, especially anything to do with politics or religion. She was very knowledgeable and supportive of candidates who upheld her values and principles. From her youth, Rita was an avid Notre Dame fan. In later years, she became a supporter of not only Notre Dame, but Duke and Indiana University basketball. She put her confidence in God and the Blessed Mother and prayed often. She strove to be independent and self-reliant during the course of her entire life. Rita accepted life as it came and trusted God's plan. We are sure she heard Jesus say, "Welcome home, good and faithful servant. Job well done!".

Visitation will be from 9:45 am to 10:30 am on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Our Lady of Grace Church, 3025 Highway Ave, Highland, IN, 46322. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am with Father Brian Chadwick officiating. Interment to follow at St. John/St. Joseph Catholic Cemeteries in Hammond.

In lieu of flowers, please follow her example and contribute to the charity of your choice. 

For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home & Cremation Center Konnie Kuiper-Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com

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