Rita Rabideau

Rita M. Rabideau

Age 93 of Wilmington, passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee.

Born January 5, 1926 in Clifton, Illinois, Rita Marie was a daughter of Louie J. and Florence Elizabeth (Hamende) Frooninckx. She was raised in Clifton, where she graduated high school, and went on to attend Gallagher Business School. On October 16, 1948, Rita married Vernon “Buck” Rabideau in the Rectory at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Clifton. Together Buck and Rita made their home in Ritchie, where she did the bookkeeping for the family business, Ritchie Grain, Inc., which continues to be operated by the third generation of the Rabideau family.

Rita was an active member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington, where over the years she belonged to the Altar and Rosary and CCW. She was a member of the St. Rose Booster Club and served on the St. Rose CCD Board. Kuzma Care Cottage was also dear to Rita’s heart and she was proud to have been the first benefactor to the Cottage upon its inception.

One who enjoyed to entertain and spend time together with friends; for more than 30 years, Rita, along with her family enjoyed cooking for the annual Ritchie Grain Party. Her fondness of cooking and entertaining however was only second to her love of bringing family together during the holidays.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Linda Rabideau and daughter and son-in-law, Nola and Doug Johnston, both of Wilmington; grandchildren: Jeff (Valerie) Rabideau of Wilmington, Todd (Kristin) Rabideau of Chicago, Jeanette Johnston of Wilmington and Nancy Johnston of Bourbonnais; four great grandchildren: Ava, Chase, Will and Wren Rabideau and several nieces and nephews, as well as their spouses from Bob and Louie Frooninckx. Not to forget her dear friend, Myrtle Pleckham from Riverside Senior Life Community.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband Buck and two brothers, Robert and Louie (Mary) Frooninckx.

The family will receive friends for a visitation on Friday, July 12, 2019 between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington and again Saturday morning at St. Rose Catholic Church, 604 S. Kankakee Street in Wilmington from 9:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service 10:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Sebastian Gargol presiding and Deacon Jay Plese assisting.

Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery in Bourbonnais, where Rita will be laid to rest with her late husband Buck.

Pallbearers will be: Jeff Rabideau, Todd Rabideau, Brian Milton, Bruce Jensen, John Curl and John Kempen. Honorary pallbearers will be: Nancy Johnston, Jeanette Johnston, Doug Johnston, Scott Sweeney and Rick Smith.

Preferred memorials in lieu of flowers may be made as gifts in Rita’s memory to St. Rose Church or to Kuzma Care Cottage.

The family wishes to extend their most sincere appreciation to the caregivers and staff at Riverside Senior Life Community for their dedication and care over the past years, as well as Dr. Suleiman and the medical staff in the E.R. at Riverside Hospital for their kindness, compassion and care.

Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Rita’s memorial page online through social media by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com/notices/Rita-Rabideau

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. ( 815-476-2181 )