Rita J. West

Rita J. Wilbert Gonda West, 82, of Butler passed away Friday, March 29, 2019 at New Haven Court in Butler.

She was born June 26, 1936 in Cabot, she was a daughter of the late Earl J. and Catherine McGee Wilbert. She was the third of twelve children.

She was the wife of the late Michael C. Gonda whom she married October 1, 1955. He passed away May 16, 1985.

She was an Administrative Assistant for Applied Test Systems retiring following several years service. She was a talented seamstress who enjoyed crocheting.

She also enjoyed dancing along with her second husband, Michael West, The Texas Two Steppers, Tamarack Lake Cloggers, square dancing and line dancing. She and her second husband enjoyed bicycling, they once bicycled from Butler to Erie.

She was a member of St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church in Meridian.

Surviving are her children: Mary Kay (Keith) Bell of Butler, Connie (Walter) Hinton of Mt. Airy, MD., Donna Crawford and her fiance' Del Wheeler of Hilliards, Michael E. (Michele) Gonda of Butler and Joann (Troy) Hinchberger of Prospect.

18 Grandchildren: Cassie Sarvey, Landon (Andrea) Fleeger, Scott (Alyssa), Bruce and Amber Hinton, Kristin Crawford, David (Amanda) Kramer, Melinda (Joseph) Bytella, Amy (Dallas) O'Donnell, Tina (Michael) Krolikowski, Sara (Joseph) Gaus, Valerie (Thomas) Masters, Megan Gonda, Lauren Gonda, Kyle, Skyler, Ryan and Tory Ann Hinchberger.

Sons-law: Thomas Kramer of Butler and Timothy Phipps of Prospect.

13 great grand children.

Her siblings: Carolyn (Patrick) McGrady of Fenelton, Dorothy Duffy of FL., James (Barbara) Wilbert of DuBois, Leroy Wilbert of Butler, Melvin (Judy) Wilbert of Valencia, Thomas Wilbert of Butler and Denis (Angela) Wilbert of Butler.

Numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Michael C. Gonda. Twin daughters, June M. Kramer and Janice L. Phipps. Two great-grandchildren, Pat and Eric Masters. Four siblings, Rose Welter, Mary Margaret , Charles and Donald Wilbert. Her second husband, Michael West, they celebrated 23 years of marriage.

A special thank you to the staff of New Haven Court.

Friends will be received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 East Cunningham St. Butler, PA 16001 from 1:00 to 3:00 and from 5:00 to 8:00 pm Monday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 11:00 am from St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, 821 Herman Road, Butler, PA 16002 with Rev. Ward Stakem, Pastor, to officiate. Interment will be at St. Mary Cemetery, Herman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, 821 Herman Road, Butler, PA 16002. Or to the Alzheimers Research 22512 Gateway Center Dr. Clarksburg, MD. 20871.

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