Rita Marie Zielinski, transitioned to her final resting place in heaven on June 16, 2024. She was 87. Rita was a Florida resident since 2008.

Rita was born on March 4, 1937 in Calumet City, Illinois. She was a cheerleader in high school, having graduated from Thornton Fractional High School. She married her life and business partner, Eugene Zielinski, of Calumet City, Illinois, on January 5, 1957. They celebrated 67 years of marriage earlier this year. She was a bookkeeper/clerk for the Insurance Company of North America (INA). Later, she and her husband formed Custom Enterprises, Inc. which was a staple in the Calumet City, Lansing, Illinois and Highland, Indiana communities for several decades. She worked alongside her husband, Eugene, at the Lansing, Illinois location that provided gasoline and full-service automobile repairs for over thirty years. The business expanded into towing services as well as achieved award-winning Dollar Rent-A-Car franchise status.

She raised five children, Michael (Mary Beth) Zielinski (Dec'd 2019), David Zielinski, John (Laura) Zielinski, Joseph (Tracy) Zielinski, and Jeanie Sue (George) Hutchinson. She was most proud of all of her grandchildren, Angela Zielinski, Andrew (Amanda) Zielinski, David Zielinski, Jeffrey Zielinski, Steven (Sarah) Zielinski, Paul Zielinski, Caitlyn Zielinski, Kevin Zielinski, Ryan Zielinski (Dec'd 2005), Lillie Hutchinson and Lexi Hutchinson.

In addition to the above, Rita's memory will be kept alive by her beloved siblings, Dorothy Vasilko, Thomas (Millicent) Pawlowski, her in-laws, including Lawrence (Carol) Zielinski, Jacqueline (Robert) Wittle, Sharon McClellan, Joseph (Doris) Zielinski, Lorraine Pawlowski, and numerous nephews, nieces, as well as grand-nephews and grand-nieces (including those of her deceased brothers, Raymond Pawlowski and Jack Pawlowski).

The family wishes to thank Cornerstone Hospice & Palliative Care in The Villages for its compassionate care.

Funeral Services will be Friday, August 16, 2024 at Castle Hill Funeral Home: 248 155th Place, Calumet City, Illinois 60409 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Ronald Kondziolka officiating followed by Interment Services at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Memorial Gathering of family and friends will be Thursday from 3-7 p.m. and Friday morning from 9:00 a.m. until time of services at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a tribute donation to Cornerstone Hospice.