Rita V. Keplinger

Rita Veronica (Smith) Keplinger, age 81, of New Oxford, PA passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026 at York North Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in York, PA. She was the loving wife of the late Evers E. Keplinger, Sr. who passed away on December 24, 2020; together they shared 59 years of marriage.

Born April 12, 1944 in East Berlin, PA, Rita was the daughter of the late H. Walter Smith and Annabelle (Kuhn) Smith. She attended New Oxford High School and was a talented seamstress. Rita enjoyed attending church, gardening, the outdoors, cooking, and most of all being with her family and friends. To know her was to love her. She always had a smile for everyone.

Rita is survived by her four adoring children Tamara Hughes Strasbaugh and husband Steven, Evers Keplinger, Jr. and wife Tina, Victor Keplinger, and Kathy Weaver and husband Jeff; her beloved grandchildren Bradley, Ryan, Jason, Jennifer, Kimberly, Jessy, Shawna, Kayla, and Drew; and her beautiful great-grandchildren, Kylee, Emet, Jeremy, Cade, Cameron, Charles, Gwendolyn, Logan, Ronan, and Roami. She is also survived by her siblings Janet Wineberg, Martha Anderson, and John Smith; and her many nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

Rita was preceded in death by her siblings Dorothy Smith, Aileen Smith, Isabel Hartzell, Joseph Smith, Henry Smith, Robert Smith, and Roger Smith.

We would like to give our deepest appreciation to the entire staff of York North Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation who cared for and loved our Mom. We also want to thank the residents there who were so kind and became friends with Mom. It meant so much to know she was loved by so many.

A Funeral Service in celebration of Rita's life will be held Saturday February 21, 2026 at 12:00 noon at Murphy-Beck Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc. 501 Ridge Ave., McSherrystown, PA 17344. Interment will follow at Rest Haven Cemetery in Hanover. A viewing will be held on Saturday from 10:00AM – 12:00 noon prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rita's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090.

Share condolences at www.beckfunerals.com