Rita Jo Wingler, 79, of Urbana, passed away at 1:21 p.m., Sunday, November 19, 2017 at Carle Foundation Hospital. A visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 22nd at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana. Funeral services will be held following the visitation at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home, with Fr. Keith Walder officiating. Burial will be held at Friends Cemetery in Stanton Township.

Rita was born April 22, 1938 in Danville, Illinois to parents Ivan and Helen (Jones) Yount. She married Robert "Bob" H. Wingler May 23, 1954 in Urbana; he preceded her in death March 28, 2010. She is survived by her three children: Tracy Wingler (Paula), Randy Wingler, and Jeanie Lynn Daly, and two siblings: Connie Yount Ray and Ivan Dean Yount (Debbie), all of Urbana. Rita is also survived by seven grandchildren: Joseph "Tater" Daly (Danielle), Robert DeRouchie (Suzanne), Kristin Wingler, Chad Daly (Skylar), Zach Wingler, Shelby Wingler, Rees Wingler, and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Mrs. Wingler's claim to fame was founding the locally famous Apple Dumplin Restaurant in 1985. She loved cooking and also worked for the University of Illinois' Beavier Hall and many fraternities and sororities.

Rita was a simple woman. She was "tough on the outside and soft on the inside." She enjoyed relaxing by working in her flower gardens, and cheering for her favorite baseball teams, the Illini and Chicago White Sox. However, her main joy in life was spending time with her grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.