Rita Catherine (Jonas) Viel

Rita Catherine (nee Jonas) Viel, of Harrison, Ohio passed away on Monday, December 21, 2020, at the age of 96.  Rita was the oldest of six children born to Charles and Frances (nee Fliehman) Jonas in Cedar Grove, Indiana on August 26, 1924.  She graduated Brookville High School in 1942, and like many of that generation, endured the Great Depression during her childhood and saw the nation at war, as a young adult.  Through all this, and throughout her life, Rita was a source of joy to her family and friends.  On September 4, 1948, she married Dale W. Viel, and together they were blessed with two daughters and two sons.  Rita always greatly valued family. She loved and enjoyed being around her children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, as well as, her large extended family of brothers, sisters, their spouses and children, and many close cousins.  A smile could always be found on Rita’s face when in the kitchen, around the dinner table, working with her flowers, or holding a child on her lap.  Rita was and remains loved, by all who knew her.

Rita was preceded in death by her beloved husband: Dale W. Viel; her parents: Charles and Frances Jonas; brothers: Charles and Cornelius “Corny” Jonas; brother-in-law: James Betscher, and sisters-in-laws: Betty Jonas and Jean Jonas. 

Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Jeanna Kay Winterhalter, Mary Jo (Roger) Duvall, Steven Viel and Jeffrey (Beth) Viel; her grandchildren:  Meg (Don) Hall, Christopher (Brooke) Winterhalter, Carolyn Duvall, Zachary (Kris) Duvall, Benjamin (Jessi) Duvall,  Aaron and Emma Viel; and her great-grandchildren:  Hannah, Sebastian and Brick Hall, Claire Duvall, Isla and William Duvall.   Rita is also survived by her brother: John Jonas; sisters: Mary (Jerome) May and Margaret Betscher; sister-in-laws: Peggy Jonas, as well as, numerous nieces and nephews.

A Private Mass of Christian Burial for family will be held on Tuesday, December 29th at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 10010 Carolina Trace Rd., Harrison, Ohio.  *Services will be live streamed on link below.  Burial immediately following at Holy Guardian Angels Cemetery, Cedar Grove, Indiana. Everyone will be required to wear a Mask and follow social distancing guidelines.  

A celebration of Rita’s life will be held next summer for all to attend.

Memorials may be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church or Christ’s Loving Hands.  You may bring your donation and give to a funeral home representative. If you are unable to attend please mail donations (made payable to the organization) to Brater Winter Funeral Home, 201 S. Vine St., Harrison, OH 45030. They will notify the family of your donation and send the donation to the organization.

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