Rita Elder

Rita Elder, 63, of Robinson, IL, died on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, IN. She was born November 17, 1952 in Palestine, IL, the daughter of Robert O. McCord & Avis May (Adams) McCord, both of whom preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Marsha McCord. She is survived by her sons & a daughter-in-law, Justin & Ashly Lassen (Robinson, IL) and Ryan Lassen (Robinson, IL); by her beloved grandsons, Wade Lassen and Kade Lassen (Robinson, IL); by her siblings & their spouses, Larry & Connie McCord (Palestine, IL), Carrol McCord (Kansas, IL), Robert O. Jr, & Frances McCord (Palestine, IL), Brenda & Larry Reed (Eugene, OR), and Marsha & Jim Jackson (Mattoon, IL); several nieces and nephews; as well as her dog, Jenny, who was a faithful companion to the very end. Rita grew up in Palestine before her family moved to Tuscola. She was a 1970 graduate of Tuscola High School. From there, she enrolled into Patricia Stevens Finishing School in St. Louis before moving to Champaign, IL for a time. By the mid-1980s, she had moved back home, where she went to work for the First Robinson Savings Bank. She worked there for 32 dedicated years, and left an impact on her friends and co-workers. Away from work, she loved to vacation at Daytona Beach. She was also a regular at her beloved grandsons’ ballgames. She led her life with passion, dedication, and strength, and will be sorely missed by all who knew her. A time of visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 11th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 12th at the funeral home with Pastor Phil Boyd officiating the service. Burial will follow in the Palestine Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Hospital Oncology Department, with envelopes available at the funeral home.