Dorothy Elvenia Reithemeyer, 90, passed away Sunday morning, March 19, 2023, at the Elsberry Health Care Center near Elsberry.
Born Aug. 23, 1932 in Owensville, she was one of eleven children born to William Edward and Laura Esther McGuire Stradford.
She was united in marriage April 29, 1950 in Hermann, to Howard Junior “Catfish” Reithemeyer. This union was blessed with three children: Rick, Ronald and Kathleen. She worked for several years as the manager of the coffee shop, and later in several other departments of the J.C. Penney store at Northwest Plaza in St. Louis. She retired from J.C. Penney after 20 years of service. She and Junior were foster parents for 10 years for many children in Lincoln County. Dorothy Elvenia was a member of the Star Hope Baptist Church near Elsberry.
She was preceded in death by parents, William and Laura Stradford; all eight of her brothers and one sister; all three of her children, Rick Reithemeyer in 1977, Kathleen Copeland in 1987 and Ronald Reithemeyer in 1990; and beloved husband of 48 years, Howard Junior Reithemeyer who died Feb. 25, 1999.
She is survived by granddaughter, Lori Stewart and husband Brian of Union; grandsons, Shane Eisenbach, James Reithemeyer, Terry Reithemeyer and Gary Reithemeyer; four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Darlene Shoemaker and husband Doyle of Lonedale; long-time companion, Ray Bagby of Foley; plus many, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and lots of friends.
Funeral services for Dorothy Elvenia Reithemeyer of Elsberry, were held Friday, March 24, at the Star Hope Baptist Church near Elsberry, with Rev. Raymond Doussard, Chaplain for Mercy Hospice and Rev. Roger Briggs, Interim Pastor of Star Hope Baptist Church, officiating. Graveside services were held Saturday, March 25, at Countryside Memorial Gardens in Owensville, with Pastor Jack Kurrelmeyer officiating.
Memorials may be made to Star Hope Baptist Church in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 S. 5th Street; Elsberry, Mo. 63343.
