Verna Jean Richter, nee Gruenewald, 95, of Belleville, IL, born October 31, 1929, in Belleville, IL, died Friday, February 21, 2025, at the Dammert Geriatric Center, Belleville, IL.
Mrs. Richter was a member of St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, for over 65 years. She was very active in the parish, the Ladies Sodality, and helped organize the noon luncheons. Other activities included volunteering at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and participating with Meals on Wheels and St. Clair Women’s Club for many years. Jean’s special skill was a memory for names and families. She astounded her family by being able to recall a person’s name, their parents, and their siblings, going back generations. After mass was her time to stop and visit with her many friends. You could always count on an extra 20 minutes before leaving the church. Her absolute delight was the love of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always ready to help with any task requested by family and friends alike.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, James L. Richter, whom she married on October 16, 1951, and who died on April 10, 2016; a son, Thomas C. Richter; her parents, Ralph G. and Ethel, nee Vernier, Gruenewald; and her brother, Ralph J. Gruenewald.
Surviving are three sons, David Richter, Richard (Donna) Richter, and Kevin (Sandy) Richter; a daughter-in-law, Toni Richter; a niece, Ann (David) Radil; two sisters, Marlene “Pat” Gruenewald and Loyce Williams; eight grandchildren, Ryan Richter, Clayton Richter, Kyle (Tessa) Richter, Chad Richter, Kimberly (Ryan) Holsapple, Bryce (Laura Culler) Richter, Kaitlyn (Stephen) Gregory, and Amanda (KC) Merckel; two great-nephews, Josh and Todd Radil; ten great-grandchildren, Rhett, Willa, and Gemma Richter, Charles, Paige, and Brynn Holsapple, Richter and Emery Gregory, and Aurelia and Milo Merckel; a special group of cousins who generated fond, lasting memories; and two nieces and a nephew, Dee Bovinette, Joseph Gruenewald, and Karla Younger.
Memorials may be made to St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, Msgr. William McGhee officiating.
Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
