FRANKLIN
Rita (Burch) Abplanalp passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, Dec. 30, 2015, at her residence outside of Franklin.
She was born May 18, 1932, at the family farm residence outside of Loogootee, in Daviess County, to Walter and Beatrice (Seal) Burch.
She was a graduate from Cannelburg Elementary School in 1946 and was a 1950 graduate of Montgomery High School. After graduation, she attended and graduated from the Approved School of Beauty Culture in Indianapolis and from there was employed at the Vogue Beauty Salon in Franklin.
Rita married Gil Abplanalp on Aug. 2, 1952, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Loogootee, and they then moved to Franklin. In 1954, they built their home in the country outside of Franklin and still reside at that location.
After their first son was born, Rita worked part-time for a few years and after their second son was born dedicated her working to caring for her family, home, helping others and the many related responsibilities.
Rita was a devoted member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. She was a member of the St. Rose Altar Society and for many years assisted with work inside and outside the rectory, along with fundraising efforts for the church.
A very caring person, she especially enjoyed doing things for others outside of her family. She also enjoyed bowling, cards, traveling, watching high school sports and college basketball, and landscaping at her home.
She is survived by her husband, Gil; sons, Garry (Laura) of Holland, Michigan and Dean (Dorcas) of Franklin; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Also surviving are sisters, Eleanor Wildman of Franklin and Margaret Walton of Loogootee; and brother, James Burch of Loogootee.
She was preceded in passing by her parents and brothers, Joe, Charles, Thomas and John.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 114 Lancelot Drive, Franklin. Friends may call from 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Flinn and Maguire Funeral Home, 2898 N. Morton St., (U.S. 31 North) in Franklin. Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin.
For those wishing to do so, memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 114 Lancelot Drive, Franklin, IN 46131.
Online condolences may be received at www.flinnmaguire.net
