Rita S. Barenberg 60 of Springfield died at home at 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2016.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 5, 2016 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Urbana; Rev. Fr. Joseph Hogan will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Urbana. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, Urbana.

Rita was born on July 24, 1956 in Lawrence, Kansas, the daughter of Ernest and Virgie Rawline Barenberg.

Survivors include her father and step-mother; Ernest and Nancy Barenberg of Urbana, one brother; Michael (Cheryl) Barenberg of Luanda, Angola, four sisters; Katherine (Bill) Wrigley of Prescott, Arizona, Janet Thurlow of Ridgewood, New Jersey, Gena (Robert) Hatch of Goodyear, Arizona, Myra Hall of Mahomet and two step-brothers; Keith (Christi) Pogue of Mahomet and Stephen (Kelly) Pogue of Jacksonville, Florida.

Rita was preceded in death by her mother.

Rita graduated from Central High School in 1974.

Rita was fiercely independent and did not allow her dwarfism to define her life. In spite of serious orthopedic problems she worked most of her adult life, primarily for Target and later for Wells Fargo in Springfield, IL. Rita loved her family, her cats, good food and wine, and watching horse racing on TV.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Champaign County Humane Society or to an organization of the Donor's Choice.

Condolences may be offered at www.rennerwikoffchapel.com.