Rissie Edith Kirts, 93, of Nashville, died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, at her home.
She was born in Crab Orchard, Kentucky, March 19, 1922, to Thomas Welchman and Rosie Edith (Kidd) Osborne.
She moved to Brown County in 1938 where she met Verl Kirts. Their marriage July 26, 1941, spanned over 62 years. They were owners of Kirts Garage in Nashville.
Rissie was a homemaker, a loving mother, grandmother and mamaw. A devoted Christian, she attended revival services that led to the formation of the present-day Parkview Church of the Nazarene. She enjoyed quilting, reading her Bible, word-search puzzles, Scrabble, dominoes, gardening and spoiling her grand- and great-grandkids.
Rissie will be greatly missed by her family and friends and everyone who experienced her kindness or was brightened by her lovely smile.
She is survived by her loving family: son, V. Omar (Marolyn) Kirts of Columbus; daughters; Brenda Kirts of Bourbonnais, Illinois, and Sue Hardwick of Franklin; sisters, Retna Kirts of Columbus and Estelle (Bob) Pugh of Crawfordsville; grandchildren, Edith Jane Rosenberry, Angela (Mike) Mathis of Columbus and Krissy Hardwick of Franklin; and three great-grandchildren, Tully Hardwick McKee and twins, Seth and Micah Kay Mathis.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Verl; brother, Geoffrey Osborne; sisters, Vivian Barnard, Ester Kirts, Odella Stoops, Retha Kirts and Carolyn Hillenburg; and stepbrothers, Jehu Reed, Lloyd Smallwood and Dan Smallwood.
A celebration of her life will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, at Parkview Church of the Nazarene, 1750 State Road 46 East, across from the north entrance of Brown County State Park.
Calling was to be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, and one hour prior to the service Feb. 17 at the church.
Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery.
Bond-Mitchell Funeral Home in Nashville is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial gifts can be made to Parkview Church of the Nazarene, P.O. Box 96, Nashville, IN 47448; or Our Hospice of Columbus.
Online condolences can be made to the family at BondMitchellFuneralHome.com.
