Rita R. Leggett

Rita R. Leggett, 92, of Bryant, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne. She was born on May 11, 1933, in Jay County, Indiana, to Melvon S. Runyon and L. Doris (Hough) Runyon. Rita graduated from Poling High School with the Class of 1951. On October 16, 1954, she married Donnie E. Leggett in Jay County. He preceded her in death on November 14, 2013. Later in life Rita continued her education through Ball State Teachers College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education. She completed both of these degrees all while running an at home daycare with 8-10 kids at a time and taking extension classes. She dedicated more than 20 years of her life as a teacher, starting her teaching career in Geneva and Berne and then primarily teaching 6th grade English at South Adams in Geneva. She attended Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bryant, Indiana. In her spare time, she enjoyed quilting, gardening, and serving her community through organizations such as the Mississinewa D.A.R. in Portland. During her years of quilting, she donated several quilts to the Youth Service Bureau, and the Pregnancy Care Center, both of Portland. She attended Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bryant, Indiana. She is survived by her daughters, Donna (Steven) Fosdick-Baumann of Decatur, IN, and Robbin McCollum of Union, KY; her grandchildren, Corey (Danielle) Fosdick of Carmel, IN, Chelsea (Phil) Sollman of Decatur, IN, and Amber McCollum of Union, KY; and her great-grandchildren, Bodie and Presley Fosdick, Callie, Reese, and Rylan Sollman. Also surviving is her sister, Sally (Jim) Mittlestedt of Davenport, FL; and her brother-in-law, AJ Bryan of Bryant, IN. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donnie Leggett; sisters, Nilah F. Wolford, Rena Runyon, and Linda Bryan; brothers, Marion Paul Runyon and Arthur R. Runyon. Funeral services for Rita will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Downing & Glancy Funeral Home, located at 100 W. Washington Street, Geneva, Indiana, with Pastor Zach Oedewaldt officiating. Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Geneva, beside her husband, Donnie. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mississinewa D.A.R. of Portland and or Redeemer Lutheran Church, PO Box 156, Bryant, IN 47326. Arrangements have been entrusted to Downing & Glancy Funeral Home in Geneva, Indiana. To send a flower arrangement in memory of Rita R. Leggett, please click here to visit our sympathy store. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Rita R. Leggett, please click here to visit our sympathy store. Memorial Donation