Stay connected with local news and updates

Get top stories from your area delivered to your inbox.

Rita Kay Roach

Published
Elderly woman smiling outdoors beside a grassy area.
Rita Roach

Rita Kay Roach, 74, a resident of the Carroll Golden Age Retreat in Carrollton, died Thursday afternoon, May 14, 2026, at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Medical Center in Canton.

She was born July 7, 1951, in Carrollton and was the daughter of the late Donald Ross and Marie (Haun) McClure.

Her husband, Ray E. Roach, whom she married Feb. 14, 1981, passed away July 25, 2010.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by Steve Valdinger, her companion for 11 1/2 years, and a brother, Raymond “Pete” McClure.

She retired after 30 years of service from KeyBank in Carrollton. She and her late husband, Ray, also operated a feed store in Carrollton for several years. Following her retirement from the bank, she was employed by Dollar General for 10 years. She was a 1969 graduate of Carrollton High School. She was a member of the Ohio Wagon Train and served as a 4-H adviser for many years.

During the Carroll County Fair, she could be found working in the animal barns from the beginning of the fair to the very end. She loved all animals but was particularly fond of goats and mules. She also owned several horses and enjoyed horseback riding.

She lived in Leesville for many years during her marriage to Ray but eventually moved on to a second chapter in her life when she met Steve Valdinger and moved to the Scio area. There, her life was full of friends and adventure. They hosted Steve and Rita’s “Tuesday Night Music” each Tuesday in their barn. Amateur musicians and friends gathered from many locations to perform music and enjoy a large feast. She will be missed by her family and many friends.

She is survived by two brothers, Richard “Rick” (Stacey) McClure and Rob (Beverly) McClure, and a sister, Donna (Donald) Weaver, all of Carrollton; many nieces and nephews; and her “adopted family,” the Valdinger family of the Scio area.

Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, May 18, 2026, at Baxter-Gardner Funeral Home with Pastor Vicki Muth officiating.

Interment followed in Sherrodsville Memorial Gardens.

Calling hours were held Monday from 11 a.m. until the time of services at 1 p.m. at the funeral home.

Contributions in Rita’s memory may be made to Carroll Golden Age Retreat, 2202 Kensington Road NE, Carrollton, OH 44615.

Her family would like to publicly thank the staff of Carroll Golden Age Retreat for their thoughtful care of Rita during her stay and also extend special thanks to the staff of Mercy Hospice.

To leave an online condolence message, visit the funeral home website www.baxtergardner.com.

Baxter-Gardner, 740-269-9225

carroll county
Obituaries
Powered by
The Free Press Standard
Subscribe Get our free newsletter View Community Calendar

THE LATEST

Local
Sports
Public Record
Life and Learning
Columns and Opinion
Obituaries
More News
Community Calendar