WICHITA — Rita Phelan McCarthy, 77, passed away Monday, May 18, 2026 at her home in Wichita, Kan. She was born Nov. 6, 1948 in Great Bend, Kan. to Virgil and Lorraine (Robl) Phelan. Rita was a 1966 graduate of Holyrood High School. She later earned her associate’s degree and became a medical transcriptionist at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. Rita married Michael McCarthy in Holyrood, Kan. on June 1, 1975. Michael preceded her in death in 2001.

Rita is survived by her son Joseph McCarthy (Megan) of Wamego, Kan.; grandchildren, Hayden, Alana, Madelyn, and Nora; brothers, Patrick Phelan (Barbara) of Meeker, Colo., Dennis Phelan (Jacque) of Holyrood, Mark Phelan of Holyrood, and John Phelan (Carolyn) of Holyrood; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother Tom Phelan; and sister-in-law Gladys Phelan.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, June 1, 2026 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Holyrood with inurnment following at Holy Family Cemetery in Odin, Kan. Memorial contributions can be made to The Baileyville Benefit, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, P.O. Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439. Condolences can be left at parsonsfh.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Parsons Funeral Home

P.O. Box 45

Ellsworth, KS 67439

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 23, 2026