Rita Marie Long was born on October 22, 1946, in Plainfield, IN, to the late John and Georgia (Curtiss) Long.  She was the youngest of their 15 children.  Rita was a 1964 graduate of Plainfield High School.  She attended nursing school in Cambridge, NY, and lived in several states before returning to Indiana in 1981. After battling numerous health issues, Rita passed away peacefully on April 7, 2016.  She is survived by her children, Stacey (and husband Roger) Merchant, Bedford, TX, and Joseph LaChance, Clearwater, FL, her grandchildren Logan, Carson, & Elizabeth Merchant, and Shane LaChance, and four of her siblings, Lois Maxwell, Paul “Rex” Long, Rosemary Fisher, and Roger Long, several beloved nieces and nephews, as well as many dear friends.  Rita was a longtime member of The Church at Mt. Gilead in Mooresville.

 A memorial/celebration of life service will be held in June.Mom edited