Ruth Ann Gries

Rita Ann Gries, 90, of Poseyville, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Deaconess Hospital Midtown Campus surrounded by her family.

Rita was born on September 25, 1936, in Poseyville, Indiana to the late Joseph Jacob and Florentina (Spahn) Schmitt. Rita was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, a wonderful cook and avid gardener. She was a longtime, faithful member of St. Wendel Catholic Church; a longtime member of the Quilter’s Club at the church and the St. Wendel Ladies Sodality. She, along with her husband Alvin, was inducted into the Brute` Society of the Diocese of Evansville for her service to her church.

Surviving Rita are her husband of 70 years, Alvin Gries; daughters, Mary Jo (Gary) Schmitt, Kathy (Danny) Kerchief, and Laura (Mike) Hall; sons, Alvin Joe (Susan) Gries, Jr, Len (Tracy) Gries, Ralph (Kim) Gries, Randy (Jennifer) Gries, Steve (Laura) Gries, and Mike (Julie) Gries; sister, Mary Louise Brooks; brother, Jerome (Loretta) Schmitt; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Schmitt and Catherine Schmitt; twenty nine grandchildren and forty nine great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Rita was preceded in death by an infant son, Daniel Jason Gries; by sisters, Viola Goebel and Darlene Hertel, and by brothers, Alvin, Francis, Herman, Raymond, and Urban Schmitt.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held at 10:00 AM on Monday, October 26, 2026, at St. Wendel Catholic Church, Rev. Ed Schnur and Rev. Jason Gries officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Wendel Church Cemetery.

Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 until 5:00 PM on Sunday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street and from 9:00 AM until service time on Monday at St. Wendel Catholic Church, 10542 W. Boonville New Harmony Road.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Wendel Catholic Church.

Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.