Rita Lucchesi

WAPAKONETA -- Rita Florence Lucchesi, age 94, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2026 surrounded by her family at Wapakoneta Manor.

She was born on August 27, 1931, in Green Bay, WI, and was raised by her adoptive parents, Florence and Clyde Yoakam, in Marquette, MI. She always kept the Upper Peninsula close to her heart and fondly told stories of her childhood and growing up along the shore of Lake Superior.

Rita eventually moved with her parents to Lima and attended St. Johns Catholic High School, graduating in 1950. It was there that she met the love of her life, Joseph Lucchesi. They were married on January 11, 1951, making Lima their life-long home. Together, they raised two daughters, Cindy Godfrey of Lima and Diana (Ralph) Bishop of Wilmington, OH. Joe preceded her in death on August 13, 1989.

Rita was the proud grandmother of three granddaughters - Stephanie (Isaac) Huff of Miamisburg, Christina (Andrew) Adrian of Blanchester, and Mandy (Brian Pohlar) Holler of Piqua, OH. Also surviving are seven great-grandchildren - Evelyn Huff, Noah Huff, Joshua Huff, Nathan Huff, Mary Huff, Austin Holler, and Charlotte Pohlar.

In 1992, with the help of Jim Link, Rita located her birth family in Upper Michigan. She was able to meet her birth mother, Anna (Vandermissen) LaFave, and step-father Charles LaFave, and all her siblings. She is also survived by Delores Sanford of Kingsford, MI, Emil (Linda) LaFave of Wilson, MI, Geraldine LaFave of Powers, MI, Darlene (Gerald) Gagne of Spalding, MI, Glen (Debbie) LaFave of Stephenson, MI, Karen (Mark) Bergstrom of Bark River, MI, her brother-in-law Paul Moroni of Bark River, MI and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Rita was preceded in death by two brothers, Andrew "Chicky" LaFave and Hubert LaFave, and two sisters, Lois Moroni and Lenore Klee, and a son-in-law, Richard Godfrey.

Rita loved her family above all else and could always be relied upon for her kindness and loving spirit.

Rita was co-owner, along with her husband, Joey, of Joey's Party Shop in Lima from 1972-1983. She made many friends there, and each one felt like family to her.

She was an accomplished seamstress/tailor who enjoyed sharing her talent with her family and friends. She was proud of being one of the Richman Brothers FussyTailors. Rita went on to work at Lazarus, Elder Beerman, and Poley's Big & Tall Men's Store in their Alteration Departments. Rita was happy when she was sewing, whether it was creating doll clothes, upholstering, or re-designing a formal gown. She was a member of St. Gerard Catholic Church.

The family would like to thank the staff of Wapak Manor for the care given to Rita these past years.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Shawnee Chapel, where the family will receive friends for 2 hours before the services from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Burial will follow in Gethsemani Cemetery.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.