Lillian Willene Ritchel

RITCHEL Lillian Willene Ritchel, January 18, 1927-May 2, 2016 Lillian Willene Ritchel, 89, passed from this life to the church triumphant, May 2,2016 at her daughter's home in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was born in Benton, Illinois on January 19, 1927 to the late Oscar and Ruth Alford. In addition to her husband, her parents and one brother, Dick Baker precede her in death. Following World War II, she married Russell Ritchel on October 18, 1946 and they had three children. Lillian and Russ served their church faithfully over the years in roles from working with youth, running summer camps and serving as elders at First Presbyterian Church of Aurora, Illinois. After raising her children, Lillian served as Christian Education Director at First Presbyterian Church in Aurora, Illinois, taught at the St. Josephs Catholic School as a second grade teacher, founded and built the Cross Reference Book Store and ultimately moved to Ann Arbor Michigan where she focused on children's material for Spring Arbor Press. She loved her Lord and because of His grace was confident of her eternal home. Three children, Jill Burda of Shreveport, Louisiana, Keith A. Ritchel of North Aurora, Illinois and Russell, Jr. of Calhoun, Georgia, and her sister, Ruth D'Water of Tolono, Illinois survive her. She has eleven grandchildren; Kearsten, Alyssa, Carrie, Jennifer, Jordan, Anthony, Kelly, Timothy, Bryan, Scott and Jaime. She also has twenty great-grandchildren. A nephew of her husband, Charles Cooper of Saint Augustine Florida, also survives her. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Shriner's Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana or Greenville, South Carolina or a charity of your choice in her honor.