Rita Jean Trone, 65, of Galesburg, passed away December 6, 2019, peacefully at Cottage Hospital surrounded by family.
Rita was born on January 5, 1954, in Galesburg, the daughter of Clyde Riley and Jeannette Dallas (Fricke) Hans. She married the love of her life, Charly Trone, on April 11, 1973, in Galesburg. He preceded her in death ten weeks ago on September 27. Rita is survived by her three sons, Charly (Kristine) Trone, Joshua (Sarah) Trone, and Matthew (Jen) Trone; three grandchildren, Kaleb, Casey, and Beckett, with another grandson on the way. She is also survived by one brother, Kenneth (Karen) Hans of Galesburg; and two sisters, Cynthia Deffebaugh of East Galesburg and Lisa (Virgil) Sibley of Galesburg. Along with her husband and parents, Rita was preceded in death by one brother Herbert.
Rita graduated from Carl Sandburg College as a Registered Nurse in 1974. Over her 35-year career span as a nurse for the State of Illinois, Rita worked in various institutions including the Galesburg Research Hospital, Zeller Mental Health Center, Hanna City Work Camp, and East Moline Correctional Center.
Rita enjoyed supporting her sons’ extracurricular activities. As the years passed, she enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities. She loved spending time in her garden and tending to her flowers. Rita’s hobbies included beauty pageants, bingo, sewing, as well as shopping for a good deal. She loved Elvis Presley and enjoyed the guilty pleasures of chocolate. After the boys were grown, Rita and Charly enjoyed traveling and taking Caribbean cruises.
Friends and family are cordially invited to the visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 12, 2019, at Bethel Baptist Church, Galesburg. Chaplain Jordan Knight will officiate. Burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for an education fund for her grandchildren. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
