June 13, 1967 – August 17, 2022
Carol Elisabeth (Smith) Richer, loving mother of three, and adoring wife to husband Dale Richer passed away in the early hours of August 17th after a courageous battle with breast cancer.
She peacefully left this world surrounded by family at her home on the family farm.
Carol entered this world on June 13, 1967, in Washington, IN. She was the daughter of Norbert W. and Clara (Divine) Smith. In 1985, Carol met the love of her life, Dale Richer. In the words of Carol, ‘I chased him till he caught me”. Carol married Dale E. Richer on October 18, 1986, at Berea Mennonite Church. She was a proud graduate of Shoals High School, Class of 1985. Despite moving to Loogootee after marriage, she remained a loyal Jug Rox fan. In her words, “we were a house divided.”
Carol had a fulfilling career with Daviess Community Hospital Hospice and Home Health team prior to following in her father’s footsteps and pursuing a career in funeral services at Queen Lee Funeral Home.
In recent years, fueled by her passion for Agriculture, she took a leap of faith and joined the Farm Credit Mid America team. Her co-workers and clients alike knew her for her positive can-do attitude, infectious laugh, and dedication.
Every Sunday, Carol could be counted on to be at the piano at Faith Baptist Church in Loogootee. It brought her great joy to play, sing, and praise the Lord. One last time, from the seat of her wheelchair, the Sunday before her passing Carol lead the church in the old hymn “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.”
She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, sitting on the beach, camping, mowing the yard, vacationing with family, and spoiling her grandbabies. One of her greatest joys in life was raising her three children with her husband Dale. She loved being a mother and grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her father, Norbert W. Smith, and aunt, Mildred Divine.
Carol is survived by her husband, Dale E. Richer of Loogootee; her mother, Clara (Divine) Smith of Shoals, her brother David (Jill) Smith of Loogootee; son Jonathan (Megan) Richer of Loogootee, son Caleb (Neely) Richer of Loogootee, and daughter Sarah (Alan) Knepp of Cannelburg; grandchildren Jackson Dale, Harrison Vern, Adeline Kate, Charlotte Claire, Illiana Dove, Sharon Elisabeth Divine, and Lydia Joy.
A public celebration of life service, for all family and friends, will be held at First Mennonite Church on Friday, August 26, 2022, at 5 p.m. at 8002 E 550 N Montgomery, IN 47558 with dinner and fellowship to follow.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Daviess Community Hospital’s Hospice Care team and the St. Vincent Oncology Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Martin County 4-H Program or Daviess
Community Hospital Hospice Foundation (Helping Hearts Hospice). If mailing, send to Martin County 4-H Council 2668 US HWY 50 Loogootee, IN 47553 – or – Helping Hearts Hospice 1314 E Walnut St Washington, IN 47501.
Arrangements for Carol Richer have been entrusted to the Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne-George Family Funeral Homes and Queen-Lee Chapel of George Funeral Care.
