Dorothy Irene Richards

April 9, 1925 - June 12, 2020

Dorothy Irene (Elder) Richards, 95, of Vandalia, IL was born on April 09, 1925 to Rollie Elder and Dora (Swick) Elder in rural Shobonier, she passed away at 11:15 AM, Friday, June 12, 2020 at Fayette County Hospital Long Term Care. A Graveside Service and Interment will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at McInturff Cemetery, Vandalia with Rev. Pete LeDuc officiating. Memorials may be made to the Fayette County Health Department. She was raised in the Brownstown area, attending both the Brownstown and Augsburg schools. Eventually leaving to live in the Sterling/Rock Falls area for 26 years, returning to Brownstown in 1973. She married Wayne Richards on March 13, 1947; he preceded in death on April 11, 1977. Irene worked at Delmonte Cannery (Rochelle, IL), was a sales clerk (Sterling, IL), and also a Bartender at Brownies (Vandalia, IL). She was a member of Maranatha Baptist Church (rural Rock Falls, IL), where she taught an adult Sunday School class; the Vandalia VFW Post #3862 Ladies Auxiliary, in which she was a past president; and was also a Brownie (Girl Scout) Leader (Rock Falls, IL). She is survived by her sons, C.M. “Bud” Diveley (Bea) of Brownstown, Charles “Chucky” Richards of Sterling, and Terry Richards (Loretta Muelberg) of Vandalia; son-in-law, James Ross of Machesney Park; daughters, Dora “Dodie” Davison (Bill) of Vandalia, Diana Stephens (Richard) of Cowden, and Dana “Darlene” Smith of Barnhart, MO; brother, Charles Elder (Jean) of Nelson; 128 grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and adopted grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wayne; daughter, Karen Ross; son-in-law, Robert Smith; daughters-in-law, Lois Richards and Renee Diveley; brothers, Rollie Elder and Bill Elder; sisters, Faye Davison and Viva Dial; 3 grandchildren; and a very important companion of 25 years, Kenneth Grotts.