Rita Jean Chaney

     Rita Jean (Malacarne) Chaney, 77, passed away on Monday, March 2, 2020, at her home in rural Columbus Junction. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 13, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Snyder and Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services in Columbus Junction, formerly the Stacy-Lewis Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Columbus Junction. A luncheon and time of fellowship will be held at the American Legion starting at noon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. Joseph’s Altar & Rosary Society in memory of Rita. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

     Rita was born in Belleville, Illinois on December 10, 1942. The oldest daughter of John and Anna “Marie” (Nollau) Malacarne. Rita was raised on Bier Street in Belleville and spent a lot of summers at Bellevue Park where her mom ran the concession stand. She was very proud of being a graduate of the Academy of Notre Dame.

     Rita married Jerry David Chaney on August 11, 1962. They moved to Muscatine, Iowa and later moved to Columbus Junction where they eventually built their log cabin in the woods and raised their three sons. Jerry passed away in 1988.

     Rita was employed at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, IL where she met Jerry. She later worked for the US Postal Service for 26 years delivering the mail in town. Rita was a member of St Joseph’s Catholic Church and was involved with St. Joseph’s Altar & Rosary Society, CJ Lion’s Club and Half Hour Club.

     Most of all Rita enjoyed and loved her grandchildren. She spent many nights at ballfields, basketball courts and cross country and track meets. She also enjoyed her grandchildren’s musical, theatrical and rodeo activities. Rita was their biggest fan.

     Rita will be deeply missed by her sister, Lois Orlet and many cousins of Belleville; her three sons and their wives, John and Barb, Mike and Jacque all of Columbus Junction and Steve and Teri of Wapello, Iowa; her grandchildren Jonathan (Abby) of Coralville, Adam (Miranda) of Wapello, Sam of Portland, Oregon, Ben (Jamie) of Grandview, Sarah of CJ, Caitlin (John Kinney) of Muscatine, Jeri (Mike) Berger of Wisconsin, Hannah (Jacob Sutherland), Elizabeth and Joel of Wapello and five great grandchildren.

     Rita was proceeded in death by her parents, her husband Jerry and her youngest sister, Carol Black.

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