Irwin, IL - Rita F. O'Connor, age 96, of Irwin, passed away Friday, July 4, 2025 at Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth.

She was born May 10, 1929 in Bradley, the daughter of Henry & Jenny Burton Menard.

Rita married Paul "Babe" O'Connor on September 16, 1950 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bradley. He preceded her in death on October 16, 1996.

Rita enjoyed gardening, crocheting, dancing, and traveling. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Rita was a parishioner of St. James Catholic Church in Irwin.

Surviving are one son, Paul "Billy" (Kristin) O'Connor of Yorkville; five daughters, Linda (Terry) Burns of Bourbonnais, Paula O'Connor of Lake Mills, WI, Madonna (Roger) Gray of Clifton, Sandra (Luis) Duran of Kankakee, and Jodi (Dale) Prairie of Clifton; 18 grandchildren, David Ziemer, Jeremy Usewicz, Kevin Usewicz, Brenda Bednar, Richard Bednar, Jonathan Gray, Annie Zapotoczny, Theresa Kolasinski, Jeffery Fozzard, Emily Jensen, Ashley Tutt, Michael Prairie, Brandon Prairie, Connor Prairie, Zach O'Connor, Catie O'Connor, Meaghan O'Connor, and Liam O'Connor; 19 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

In addition to her husband, Rita is preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Brenda Ziemer; five brothers, Melvin Menard, Bob Menard, James Menard, Paul Menard, and Jerry Menard; three sisters, Madonna Mantucca, Pauline Africano, and her twin sister, Theresa Sullivan.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home in Kankakee.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at St. James Catholic Church in Irwin. Rev. Ron Neitzke will celebrate the Mass. Interment will follow at St. James Catholic Cemetery in Irwin.

Memorials may be made to St. James Catholic Church CCW, Prairieview Lutheran Home in Danforth, or for Masses.

Please sign her guestbook at www.clancygernon.com