Rita M. Overdorf

Her Beginning

Rita May McTaggart Overdorf was born January 5, 1938 to Charles J. and Rose E. Jenkins McTaggart in Tipton, Indiana. Rita joined the burgeoning family including her eldest sister, Sharlene, later welcoming the youngest, Ilene.

Her Family

Rita attended and graduated from Tipton County High School. At the young age of 17, a young Richard Lee Overdorf spotted her in a bowling alley. After finally finding her walking through town, he recognized her to be “the one,” and their epic romance began, enjoying nuptials on December 18, 1955. Their love and adventures lasted until his passing on October 17, 2024 culminating in 68 years of marriage. They celebrated the birth of the sons, Bret A. and Scot W. Overdorf, enjoying weekend antiquing trips to supply the family business, Buena Vista Antiques, run by Richard’s father Eugene in Atlanta, Indiana. The four also traveled the globe exploring European lands and multiple cruises.

Her Vocation

Rita worked as the office manager for Dr. Ferguson in Anderson, Indiana. She retained her medical knowledge and would correct you on the proper pronunciation of any medicine. Once Richard opened his own insurance agency, Rita was the office manager and continued until her retirement. She always focused on organization and efficiency and ran a tight ship. People would marvel at her typing ability. Her typewriter of choice was the IBM Selectric and on more than one occasion, her sons swear smoke was coming from the keys. She was often asked to perform her “typing magic” after hours for school papers for her sons. She never complained.

Her Church

Rita was a Christ follower, and attended Madison Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in Frankton, Indiana. She was actively involved in the church. She was kind and compassionate and had a servant’s heart. She also extended her ministries and gifts to Beauty for Ashes Transitional Home in Alexandria, Indiana, providing Christ-centered housing and support programs for women and their children to overcome homelessness.

Her Collections

Rita was a collector of many things. She enjoyed the pursuit of Heisey glassware from Newark, Ohio, as well as collecting vintage items such as Evening in Paris perfume bottles, eyecups and Flow Blue China. The more modern collections included Department 56 Snow Babies and Longaberger baskets. Rita was a gifted crafter and made baskets for the annual auction to benefit her church. She hand wrapped all gifts and made bows to match that were works of art. She loved shopping for the grandchildren, ensuring that each child had numerous gifts for Christmas, all uniquely decorated, and equally distributed. This skill was ironic as she often said she only repaired items that could be glued, stapled or pinned.

Her Fishing Prowess

Rita and Richard were fishing enthusiasts, which would serve them well in the 50 year love of fishing in a little known body of water in Mine Centre, Ontario Canada named Turtle Lake. They would make annual excursions in May and September, having missed only once in over 50 years. Nobody would out fish Rita. She would sit quietly on the back seat of the boat, her legs extended on top of the motor and work her magic. She had “people” (mainly Richard) to bait her hook and take off her fish. All obliged if they wanted to eat fish for dinner. She fished for walleye, nothing else. Unfortunately she was a fish magnet, often hooking small mouth bass, northern pike and sturgeon. If she hooked one of these “scrub fish” she would hand the pole to someone else in the boat. For over 20 years they would go to Little Turtle Resort, where they would often catch enough walleye to feed the whole camp. Later, when the lodge closed, they would buy a lake home with boat access only. At first, the lake home only had an outhouse and no other amenities. Soon, with Rita’s insistence, the cabin had a full bathroom, washer and dryer, generator shed and many other comforts. Richard and Rita would bring their children, grand-children and friends to “the lake”. It was her favorite place.

Her Generosity

If there was one word to describe Rita it would be “generous”. She was generous to all. Coming from a modest upbringing, she was always willing to improve the life of others. Rita’s currency of choice was $100 bills, which she called “hunnies”. If you went to visit Rita, odds are you would leave with a hunnie. Rita was initially shy when meeting people. However, she had a deep love and concern for everyone, which people discovered upon getting to know her on an individual level. Upon her passing, many people from Meadow Brook Senior Living recalled to the family of her quiet, sweet manor and making their day better by providing a brief moment of respite in her apartment…served with a side of candy.

Her Shopping

She loved shopping…long shopping for hours. Often she would drag Richard along as they frequented the Potpourri Store in Zionsville (until it closed, much to her dismay) and Hofmeister’s Jewelry. Many times Richard would sit in the car reading his Kindle, knowing she would return on “her time”. They later frequented Saks Fifth Avenue where she knew everyone in the high-end skin care department, which might have assisted in maintaining her beautiful complexion into her senior years. After a hard day of shopping they would frequent their favorite restaurant, Sullivans, where they were known on a first name basis and were always seated immediately, no matter how crowded the restaurant (the hunnies came in handy!)

Her Legacy

Rita May McTaggart Overdorf passed peacefully on Saturday, August 22, 2026 surrounded by family. She is survived by her sons, Bret A. (Kelli) and Scot (Tanya) Overdorf, grandchildren, Jordan (Merry), Victoria (Jordan), Allison (Joshua) and Rachael (Jon); great grandchildren, Lucas, Quinn, Elijah, Theodore (Teddy), Lee Scarlett (Scottie), Ruthie, Isaiah, Wade Montgomery (Kic) and Lilly Mae; sister (Sharlene); and numerous nieces and nephews. Her elderly years were blessed by the care of Kim Langdon, Season Lewis and George Broomfield, who treated her with much love and compassion.

Well done good and faithful servant.

Memorial Contributions can be made to: Beauty for Ashes, P.O. Box 2349, Muncie, IN 47307.