Rita Ann Pecher (nee Whitehead) age 76 of Sun City West, Arizona, passed away on May 13, 2013. Preceded in death by her first husband, Raymond Ball, she is survived by her husband, Wayne Pecher, her children Debbie (Henry) Rohling, of Schererville, IN, David (Jane) Ball, of Gosport, IN, Dana (Suzanne) Ball, of Scottsdale, AZ, Dan (Monica) Ball, of Kouts, IN, and DeAnna (Beth Sandman) Ball, of Columbus, OH; grandchildren Brittny & Evan Rohling, Jackson & Bryan Ball, Matthew, Rebecca and Tyler Ball. Also surviving are her step children Gary Pecher (Nancy), Linda Pecher, Christy Mulder (Eric), nine step-grandchildren, and seven step-great grandchildren. Rita was born in North Dakota and moved to northwest Indiana at an early age living in Gary and Hammond. She was one of twelve children born to Charles & Emma Whitehead. Surviving siblings include Louise Leimbach, Chuck Whitehead, Doug Whitehead, Stan Whitehead, Janet Ball, Linda Grawcock, and numerous nieces and nephews. Rita was a devoted wife, caring mother, loving grandmother, and devoted follower of Jesus Christ. She was active in her church, singing in the choir and serving on the Board of Education. Rita had been employed by Walgreens as a bookkeeper and later retired from State Farm Insurance after twenty-five years of service. In her retirement she enjoyed playing golf and traveling the world with her second husband. Her remains have been donated to the Banner Sun Health Research Institute in Arizona. A service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, June 8th at 10 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 7227 Hohman Ave. in Hammond for family and friends. Interment will be private and will take place at Concordia Cemetery in Hammond. Memorial donations may be given to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Hammond, IN, or to a favorite charity of choice. For further information regarding services, please contact LaHAYNE FUNERAL HOME, 6955 Southeastern Ave., Hammond at 219/845-3600.