Rita Mueller Talak, formerly of Pittsburgh, the Whitestown Apartments in Butler and Chicora Medical Center, died peacefully Monday at Good Samaritan Hospice.

Born Aug. 24, 1922, in West Virginia, she was the daughter of George and Anna Mueller.

Rita loved life and tried to live each day to the fullest. She enjoyed socializing at Tanglewood Senior Center. She was named volunteer of the year by the Red Cross for her hours donated.

Before moving to Butler, Rita worked at St. Paul of the Cross Monastery on the South Side.

Rita was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Surviving are two daughters, Bonnie Lauster and her companion, Bob Conklin, and Reinell "Rey" and her husband, Pete Stariat, all of Butler; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a step-great-grandchild, Jeff Kunkler and his companion, Anita O'Connor, Steve Kunkler, and Heather (Barry) Default, all of Atlanta, Ga., Jonathan Stariat and his fiance, Mandy, Pierce and Courtney (Mike) Foster, both of Butler, Haley Stariat, Matthew Foster and Gabriella Foster.

Her husband John, to whom she was married for 56 years, died Dec. 30, 1996. Also preceding her in death were a brother, Earl, and his wife, Ida.

All who knew her will sadly miss her smile, kind words and loving ways.

<B>TALAK </B>— Private viewing and services for Rita Mueller Talak, who died Monday, June 9, 2008, are being held at <B>JOHN J. GMITER FUNERAL HOME</B>, Pittsburgh.