Rita J. Samblanet, 99, of Bryan, Ohio, passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Hillside County Living, Bryan.  Rita was born on June 8, 1926, in Louisville, Ohio, daughter of the late Charles J. and Mozelle (Lisch) Meininger.  She was a 1944 graduate of Louisville High School.  Rita married Robert J. "Bob" Samblanet on December 27, 1952, and he preceded her in death on September 3, 2018.  She started her career as a full-time homemaker and as their children grew older, she transitioned to working as a Librarian at Louisville Middle School.  In her younger years, Rita was active with the Columbus Women's Club and Ohio State Mother's Club and sang with the Sweet Adeline's.  Rita and Bob lived in Louisville, until his retirement, then moved to Florida, where they lived in Sarasota and North Port for 29 years.  They were members of the St. Louis Catholic Church in Louisville and Incarnation Catholic Church in Sarasota.  Rita's family was of the utmost importance to her; she valued every second spent with them.

Surviving are her five children, Vaune (Greg) Ritchey of Bryan, Ohio, Kevin (Maria Auxilia) Samblanet of Centerville, Ohio, Val (Bill) Marfizo of North Port, Florida, Julia (Rick) Bittner of Geneva, Ohio, and Jean (Tom) Paumier of Sarasota, Florida; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.  Rita was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, Bob.

A Funeral Mass for Rita J. Samblanet will be held on June 8, 2026, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Louisville, Ohio.  Inurnment will then take place in the St. Louis Parish Cemetery.  Services are in care of Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, Bryan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters (OLVM).  Checks should be made payable to OLVM Sisters and mailed to:

Attn: Sr. Jenny Howard
1900 West Park Drive
Huntington, Indiana 46750

Condolences and fond memories can be shared with the family at www.oberlinturnbull.com.