Rita Dargis

Rita M. Dargis, a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2024, in Niles, Michigan, at the age of 87. Born on January 21, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, Rita was the beloved daughter of the late John J. Simkus and Stephanie (Gadams) Simkus. She was the loving wife of the late Edmund Dargis, with whom she shared a life full of joy and companionship until his passing. They were married April 28, 1957 in Chicago, IL and enjoyed 37 years together.
Rita's life was marked by her unwavering dedication to her family and her community. She was a loving mother to her five daughters: Dawn (Brad) Richardson, Lee Ann (Richard) Gertzfield, Ria (Brian) Thomas, Janet (Adam) George, and Caela Dominello. Her role as a grandmother to eleven grandchildren: Kelly, Nolan (Lana), Andrew (Lindsay), Aaron (Renee), Kyle (Liv), Bethann (Brandon), Dylan (Elizabeth), Ryan, Lexi (Justin), Alex, and Cassidy and ten great-grandchildren was one she cherished deeply, and she left behind a legacy of love and wisdom that will continue to guide them.
Her sister, Juanita (Donald) Dulkinys, as well as her sister-in-law Marilyn Ambrose and brother-in-law Peter Dargis will remember Rita for her strength, kindness, and the laughter they shared throughout the years. Rita's presence in the lives of her family members was a source of comfort and inspiration, and she will be profoundly missed by all who knew her. She was predeceased by her great-grandson, Lennox Richardson.
Rita's commitment to her career was evident in her 25 years of service with the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office as an Adult and Child Protective Services Caseworker. She delivered workshops and inservices in an effort to educate and inform the public on the problem of elder abuse. She was on the Board of Directors of Indiana Guardianship Association, member of Attorney General Jeff Modisett's Consumer Protection Regional Advisory Council, member NCPEA, and on the advisory board of Interim Health Care. She retired in 1999, leaving behind a record of compassion and professionalism that made a significant impact on the thousands of vulnerable people she served.
She was a recipient of the Age of Excellence Award designed to recognize and honor those who demonstrate excellence in serving older adults. This award is the highest honor bestowed to an older person by the Family and Social Services Administration.
Rita was a prolific and compassionate volunteer in all aspects of her life. She was the founder of the Oasis House, a safe house for battered adults; a volunteer at REAL Services Guardianship Program; a stand-in grandparent at Stanley Clark, an active member of Friends of the Library, an endless rescuer and lover of animals, and seemed to end up on every board in her community.
Rita always sought out opportunities to grow, create, and craft. She was an extraordinary seamstress and knitter, an avid reader, had a passion for Broadway Theatre as an attendee, as well as an usher, a costumer, and clever and innovative procurer of props for the South Bend Civic Theatre. Her love of singing and her enthusiasm about her Lithuanian heritage led to a guest solo performance in Lithuania at the Lithuanian Independence Festival attended by the President of Lithuania. Her intelligence and commitment to lifelong learning and the arts were qualities that she instilled in her children and grandchildren.
An active member of St. Joseph Church in South Bend, and more recently St Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Niles Michigan, Rita's faith was a cornerstone of her life. Her involvement in the church community, in particular singing in the choir, was a testament to her belief in service, fellowship, and the power of faith to bring people together.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, August 29, 2024 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 219 S. State Street Niles, MI 49120. Friends may visit with family from 10:00 am until the time of services. There will also be a visitation Wednesday, August 28, 2024 from 5:00 pm-7:00pm at Palmer Funeral Home – Welsheimer North Chapel 17033 Cleveland Rd. South Bend, IN 46635. Burial will follow the mass at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be left to an Animal Rescue center of your choice or your local library. Online condolences may be left at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com
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