Rita Marie (Brandon) McClaren

Rita Marie McClaren, age 41, of Sandoval, Illinois, passed away at 10:10 A.M. on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at her home in Sandoval, Illinois.  She was born on October 20, 1977 in Peoria, Illinois, the daughter of Connie Lynn and Susan K. (Blake) Brandon.  She married Steven Lee McClaren II on March 5, 2001 at Foundation Park in Centralia, Illinois.

In addition to her loving husband of 18 years, sons, Dustin McClaren and fiancée Allie VonBurg of Sandoval, Illinois and Steven Blake “Tater” McClaren of Sandoval, Illinois; daughter, Hayleigh Lee McClaren of Sandoval, Illinois; granddaughter, Auriella Jean McClaren; mother, Susan Osborne and husband Keith of Plainfield, Illinois; father-in-law, Steven McClaren and wife Kimberly of Centralia, Illinois; mother-in-law, Carmen McClaren of Centralia, Illinois; brothers, David Randall Brandon and wife Mary Grace of Troy, Michigan and Eric Tyler Brandon and wife Svetlana of Palm Coast, Florida; sisters, Jessica Ailene Muench and husband Charles of Indianapolis, Indiana and Zoe Elayne Cremer of Plainfield, Illinois, and many nieces and nephews.

Rita was preceded in death by her father, Connie Lynn Brandon; son, Steven Day; paternal grandparents, Howard Taylor and Mary Ann (Hendrickson) Brandon and maternal grandparents, Russell Keith and Dorothy Irene (Nelson) Blake.

Rita was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Centralia, Illinois.  She loved her animals as she raised rare breed chickens and had, “Thor”, her St. Bernard dog at home.  She enjoyed painting and making crafts as she would take anything and make it into something wonderful.

Rita loved her music as she was very good at singing along with it and playing her saxophone.  She was active in plays at the Centralia Cultural Society.  She had a passion for working on cars and driving derby cars and off-road vehicles. She was known to take random road trips and would hit the road to anywhere without any plans.  Rita’s brother David thought she was the toughest person he ever met and it was the time between her older brothers and younger sisters that determined the road in her life.  She always wanted to help people, but wouldn’t allow anyone to help her.

Rita was a travel nurse for Nurses PRN in St. Louis, Missouri for 14 years.  She was a published author who authored “Green Man’s Curse” and co-authored “Q Island” with Russel James.  Rita, under the name of “Blood Bath McGrath’’ was a member of the roller derby team, Southern Illinois Roller Girls (SIRG) in Marion, Illinois, for three years.  She lived most of her life in Sandoval, Illinois.

A Celebration of Life Service for Rita Marie McClaren will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home with Bishop David Mooth and Elder David Glecker officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park near Centralia, Illinois.  Family and friends are invited to visit with Rita’s family from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services at 1:00 P.M. at the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home at 134 South Elm Street in Centralia, Illinois.  Following the interment, family and friends are invited to a light luncheon at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2241 East Calumet Street in Centralia, Illinois.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rita’s honor to Haleigh’s and Steven’s Education Fund and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Rita’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

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