BEARDSTOWN - Susan Amanda Ritter Parish, 62, of Beardstown died Sunday morning, March 15, 2009, in her home. She was born September 8, 1946, in Olney, the daughter of Howard Leland and Edith Amanda Ulmer Ritter. She married David E. Parish on August 22, 1970, at the First United Methodist Church in Olney. Surviving is her husband, David Parish of Beardstown; two daughters, Amanda Beth Parish of Keizer, OR and Cathryne Lynn Parish of Washington, IL; her beloved dog Fritz; and her nephew, Chris Kirkwood of Olney. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Judith Sue Ritter. Susan graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences and from Western Illinois University in 1976 with a Master of Arts degree in Speech and Language Pathology. She served as Speech and Language Pathologist for Beardstown Schools beginning in the fall of 1968 until her retirement in 2002 and then an additional two years for Triopia schools. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and Circle 4 in Beardstown, Beardstown Education Association serving as president in 1987, Exchange Club of Beardstown, and Cass County Historical and Genealogy Society. She graciously donated her time as a volunteer and was also a commission member of the Old Lincoln Courtroom and Museum in Beardstown. She enjoyed investigating and discovering her personal history in exploration of her genealogical background which found her and her husband traveling in search of the Ritter family past. The fervor and enthusiasm in her life was founded in the love and devotion in her heart for her family. The family will meet with friends from 4 until 7 PM Wednesday at Sager Funeral Home in Beardstown. Memorial services will be held at 11 AM Thursday at the funeral home. A private family burial will be held in Beardstown City Cemetery. Memorials have been suggested to Cass/Schuyler Hospice or Beardstown Houston Memorial Library.
Published in The State Journal-Register on 3/17/2009