Olive Jean Richter

Olive Jean Richter, age 89, of Fithian, passed into the presence of the Lord on Sunday, March 8, 2015, at Presence United Samaritans Hospital, Danville, IL. Olive was born March 17, 1925, in Oakwood, the daughter of Sanford Tilghman and Myrtle Edna Dalbey Monroe. She married Harold Lee Richter on June 25, 1948, in Oakwood. She was preceded in death by her parents, infant brother Thomas W. Monroe, and husband. Olive graduated Co-Valedictorian from Oakwood High School and attended Illinois State Normal College for three years. After marrying the love of her life, she taught at Pleasant Grove School in Oakwood Township before starting her family. After her own children were school-age, she returned to the Oakwood School District serving first as a van driver and then as a teachers aide. Olives faith in God was her foundation and at the center of her life was the Muncie Baptist Church where she loved to sing in the choir and babysit in the nursery. She touched the lives of many children at home, school and church. The most lasting legacy she leaves is the unconditional love she showed to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and school children. She encouraged children to do their best, instilling a sense of pride in their accomplishments. The children who knew her felt loved and accepted. Olive had a passion for reading, gardening, singing, and arts and crafts. She had a great love for nature, especially watching birds. She fondly cared for many pets throughout her life. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Surviving are her seven children Randy Richter of Fithian, Kathee (Bruce) Torgersen of Indianapolis, IN, Janet (Carroll) Slade of Muncie, Wendy (Bill) Wilder, of Fithian, Ken (Judy) Richter of Stone Bluff, IN, Brenda (David) Salogga of Decatur, IL, and Pam Richter of Fithian. Twelve grandchildren Micah (Holly) Torgersen and Leah (Jason) Anderson of Indianapolis, IN, Rachel Wilder of Bradenton, FL, Rosanna Wilder of Fithian, Logan Wilder of St. Louis, MO, Derek Wilder of Champaign, Brandy Richter of Crawfordsville, IN and Kody Richter of Perrysville, IN, Tyler and Levi Richter of Stone Bluff, IN, John and Katie Salogga of Decatur; two step-grandchildren Justin Slade, Catlin, and Mindy Slade, a step-great-grandson Skyler Slade of Muncie, and four great-grandchildren Carter and Cora Anderson and Elias Torgersen of Indianapolis and Aubree Wilder of Fithian. Also surviving are her sister-in-law Reva (Charles) Mitchell, brother-in-law Donald (Sue) Richter and sister-in-law Beverlie (Deene) Pippenger and nieces and nephews Toni Mitchell, Jay Mitchell and Beth Hofbauer. A celebration of Olives life will be held at Muncie Baptist Church, 205 Main Street in Muncie, IL on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at 10:00 am. Officiating will be Pastor Dave Garver. Burial will take place following at Stearns Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 9 a.m. one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made in Olives name to Muncie Baptist Church. Sunsets Oakwood Chapel assisted her family with arrangements.