Rita Mae Batta, age 91 of Sunman, Indiana, passed away on Monday, July
6, 2026. Born May 18, 1935, in Franklin County Indiana, she is the
daughter of Jacob and Jennie (Nee: Connor) Heppner. She married
Bernard “Ben” Batta Jr. on May 17, 1958, at Holy Family Catholic Church in
Oldenburg, Indiana.
Rita loved to chat and talk with everyone and was a social butterfly who
never knew a stranger. She loved her family, especially the grandchildren
and great-grandchildren. Her family remembers gathering around the table
for her extensive meals and the wonderful dessert pies, cakes and cookies
that she and Ben would make together. Rita was born and raised on the
family farm in Oldenburg until she and Ben started their own family farm in
Dearborn County.
She enjoyed mowing grass and attending to her many flower beds . She
spent her life as a servant of God in St. Paul’s Catholic Church in New
Alsace. Returning to Holy Family Parish in Oldenburg which she dearly
loved.
She is survived by her husband Ben Batta of Sunman; sons Jeff Batta of
Oldenburg and Doug (Angie) Batta of Sunman; son-in-law Todd Russell of
Moores Hill, Indiana; seven grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren;
numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Rita was preceded in death by her daughter
Debra Russell; sisters Roumilda Loaring, Mary Heppner, Freda Cronin,
Leona Burbank, and Emma Ryan; brothers Lawrence Heppner, Elmer
“Pete” Heppner, and Lambert Heppner.
Visitation is Saturday, July 11 th , from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., at Holy Family
Catholic Church in Oldenburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at
10:30 a.m., at the church, with Fr. John Barker, O.F.M. officiating. Burial
will be at Holy Family Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to
Holy Family Church. If unable to attend the visitation, memorials may be
sent in c/o Weigel Funeral Home, PO Box 36, Batesville, Indiana 47006.
For online condolences, please go to www.weigelfh.com.