Dorothy Darlene Rittenhouse

Dorothy Darlene (Dean) Rittenhouse, 86, of Mahomet passed away peacefully on Sunday (Jan. 29, 2023) in Gibson City.

Born Sept. 19, 1936, Darlene was the oldest of six children, whom they lovingly nicknamed "Dolly." She was the daughter of JH "Hank" and Elsie Mae Dean. After graduating from Mahomet High School in 1954, she married Wayne Rittenhouse on Sept. 25, 1954, and later divorced. Together they shared three sons, Wayne Jr., Douglas Gayle "Bear Boy" and Michael Todd.

Darlene worked at Mercy/Provena Hospital for over 30 years, retiring in 2000. Her second career would then be playing an integral role in the raising of her four great-grandchildren, Kazie Darlene, Macie Ann, Wade William and Kyndl Greyce. Darlene was an avid Cubs "Cubbies" and Dallas Cowboys fan.

Surviving are sons Wayne (Molly) of Dewey and Todd (Theda) of Middleburg, Fla.; three grandchildren, Kamie (Aaron) Manuel, Katie Rittenhouse and Dustin Rittenhouse, all of Mahomet; four great-grandchildren; three sisters, Virginia Sparks, Janet (Tom) Morgan and Leatha (Bob) Dykes; brother JH "Buck" (Stephanie) Dean; and her much loved nieces and nephews.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, brother Richard "Whoop" Dean and son Douglas Gayle.

Visitation will take place on Friday, Feb. 3, at 10 a.m., with the funeral immediately following at 11 a.m., at Blair-Owens Funeral Home, Mahomet, with Pastor Marsh Jones of Faith Church Urbana officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Mahomet.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage Manor in Gibson City who have taken care of Darlene the past several years, and her special friend, Hannah Sloane, who would visit each week to read to Darlene and play her favorite old-timey country music.

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