Rita Lois Walker, 85, South Bend, and formerly of Warsaw, passed away July 4, 2016, at Cardinal Nursing and Rehabilitation, South Bend. She was born July 8, 1930, in Philadelphia, Pa., to Louis and Rose Papiano. On Nov. 17, 1951, in Philadelphia, she married Bill J. Walker, who preceded her in death Jan. 12, 2007. She graduated high school in Philadelphia, and later from Purdue University with an associate’s degree in nursing. Working as a registered nurse, she had retired from Kosciusko Community Hospital in 1995. Over her 30-year career she had worked for Murphy Medical Center and RR Donnelly. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Surviving are two daughters, Lynne (and John Laskie) Walker, South Bend, and Rosemary (and spouse John) Marburger, Indianapolis; a son, James Walker, Delphi; six grandchildren: John Winn Jr., James and Antonio Winn, Melissa Marburger Brown, and Joseph and Bill Marburger; and three great-grandchildren: Lilliana, Henry and Rocco Brown. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Louise Walker; a son, William Joseph Walker; three sisters: Francis, Dorothy and Jane Papiano; and a brother, Frank Papiano. A mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Church, Warsaw, with Father Phil DeVolder, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw Calling is from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church. ***** Memorials to Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
