Rita Lois Bowling

Rita Lois (Banks) Bowling, aged 86, of Fairborn, OH, often lovingly known as “Pete”, went home to be with the Lord and her husband on the morning of June 18, 2026, after a battle with kidney disease. Rita was born on April 26, 1940, on Neil Howard's Creek in Sandy Hook, KY to George and Opal (Dehart) Banks.

She graduated from Sandy Hook High School before attending Business School. After completing her education, she took a position working with a legal firm and quickly decided that big city life was not for her.

She returned to Sandy Hook where she met and married “Charlie”, the love of her life, in 1960. They decided to make Fairborn, OH their home. Rita worked at Kiddie Launch Learning Center for over 30 years. She was a childcare worker in the infant-toddler room providing care and unconditional love to so many children over the years. She was blessed to have a wonderful work family there. “Pete” enjoyed going back home frequently to visit with friends and family of in Sandy Hook, KY. “The Knob” quickly became a popular gathering spot where she and the Wheeler family hosted many great meals and fellowship.

Rita's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her greatest joys and brought her an extreme amount of pride. She loved nothing more than spending time with the ones she held closest to her heart. Rita was the type of woman that others looked up to and strived to become. She was strong, selfless, resilient, kind, and loving; she was there whenever needed no matter the time of day. Pete was the family’s strength, voice of reason, and their greatest source of endless love and support. Rita leaves behind an incredible legacy that will never be matched; the world is a much better place because of her.

Rita is preceded in death by her parents, Opal and George Banks, and her loving husband of 50 years, Charles L. Bowling. She is survived by her sister Evelyn (Coleman) Banks of Lexington, KY., children, Tamara (Rick) Baker of Beavercreek, OH., George Nicholas (Leasa) Bowling of Xenia, OH., Charles Scott (Kandi) Bowling of Beavercreek, OH. She will be deeply missed by her 18 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren along with a host of friends and family members.

A funeral service will be held at 6:30 PM, Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at the Belton-Stroup Funeral Home, 422 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Road, Fairborn, OH, 45324. The family will receive visitors beginning at 5:30 PM, Pastor Tim Walden officiating.

Rita will then be returned “home” to Sandy Hook, KY to be interred beside her husband, at 2:00 PM, Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Elliott County Memory Gardens, 603 N. Kentucky #7, Sandy Hook, KY, 41171.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that one consider a memorial contribution be made to Ohio's Hospice of Dayton. https://www.ohioshospice.org/give/