Rita Prendergast

Rita Lou Lutes Prendergast of Cherokee Village, Arkansas died Sunday, November 15, 2020 at the age of 104. She was born December 14, 1915 in Moundsville, West Virginia to Selby A. and Lu La Laing. In 1938 Rita married D.C. Lutes; they were married 44 years and raised five children. D.C. died in 1982. Rita moved to Venice, Florida in 1983 and later married George Prendergast. They enjoyed traveling and lots of dancing for ten great retirement years. George died in 1999. Rita moved with her daughter to Cherokee Village in 2016. Rita is survived by her children: David (Linda) Lutes of Washington, Pennsylvania, Maureen (Bill) Matselboba of Cherokee Village, Mary Lou (Chuck) Coster of Louisburg, North Carolina, Patricia Bettinazzi of Circleville, Ohio, and Christine McCulley of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. The family expresses sincere thanks to the employees of EagleCrest Nursing for the loving care given to ‘Miss Rita’ during her stay there. Services: Mass celebrated Saturday, November 21, 2020 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Cherokee Village; burial will be in Venice, Florida. Arrangements are with Tri-County Funeral Home of Highland, Arkansas, and Toale Brothers Funeral Home in Florida.