Rita E. Eyink, age 88, of Coldwater, died Monday, January 18, 2021 at Briarwood Village in Coldwater. She was born September 21, 1932 in St. Anthony, to the late Isidore & Mary (Gaerke) Gruss. On October 24, 1953 she married Edgar R. Eyink and he died May 21, 1990.

She is survived by children and in-laws: Robert (Karen) Eyink of Troy, Mary Kay (John) Vavaro of West Palm Beach, FL, James Eyink of Coldwater, Carol Lewis of Marysville, Deb (Gary) Griesdorn of Coldwater, Teresa (Bobby) Poulios of Thessaloniki, Greece and Pamela (Mike) Hahlen of Dublin. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 3 step great-grandchildren. Sisters, Irene Timmerman of Ft. Recovery; and in-laws, Mary Ann Gruss of Coldwater, Frances Gruss of Florida, Mary Eyink of New Bremen, Ken (Kathy) Eyink of Coldwater, Donald Feltz of Coldwater, Viola (Wilbert) Homan of St. Rose and Esther Eyink of Chickasaw.

She was also preceded in death by a son-in law Tom Lewis; siblings and in-laws Vincent Gruss, Victor & Rose Gruss, Lavern & Ruth Gruss, Donald Gruss, Ernest Eyink, Alice Feltz, Tommy Eyink, and Gerald Timmerman.

Rita's true love and joy was her family. She never missed an opportunity with her children and grandchildren playing cards and games, attending activities, and making sure they were well fed.
She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Coldwater, the St. Ann's Altar Rosary Sodality, St. Cecelia Knights of St. John and Coldwater Eagles. Rita worked as a beloved babysitter for many years then worked as a nursing assistant at Mercer Health until she was 75 years old, she also volunteered at the Holy Trinity food pantry, Coldwater school cafeteria and the Holy Trinity funeral luncheons. She graduated from Coldwater High School in 1951, was an avid card player and loved attending Coldwater high school activities with her friends.
  A Funeral Mass following all CDC guidelines will be held at 1:30 pm on Friday, January 22, 2021 at Holy Trinity Church, Coldwater with live stream at https://www.coldwatercluster.org/information/watch-mass-online.

The family would like to receive friends but due to COVID-19 concerns a private viewing will be held at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater. The family will hold a celebration of life at a later date. Burial will follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Coldwater.

Memorial contributions may be made to Briarwood Village Activity fund or the Mercer Health hospital volunteers.

Condolences may be left at hogenkampfh.com.