Rhea Madell Readnour

Rhea Readnour age 103 passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at Madonna Manor in Villa Hills, Kentucky. She was born in Richmond, Indiana on August 30, 1915 to Ross and Gertrude (Weber) Lammott; the sixth of nine siblings: Ada, Ralph, Vera, Hubert, Marjorie, Rhea, Lowell, Laurel and Betty. In 1929 Rhea moved with her family to Muncie where she graduated from McKinley Junior and Muncie Central High Schools. She met her high school sweetheart and love of her life Jerry Readnour at the latter.

While the Depression delayed the start of college for one semester, Rhea attended Ball State Teachers College in January 1934. She was a student athlete winning the Women's Athletic Association (WAA) track meet all four years and while earning her BS in Education. Upon graduation she accepted a job at New Bremen High School starting in August 1937, teaching Business and Physical Education for $1200 per year. But before she left Muncie for her teaching assignment, Jerry bought a $45 engagement ring and they were secretly married by the Gretna Louisiana justice of the peace on August 24, 1937. Rhea taught in New Bremen for two years during which time she and Jerry were able to purchase land and build a home in New Burlington, IN where they moved in June 1939 and started their family.

Rhea raised three sons Mike, Jack and Jon as a stay at home mother while at the same time working on her Master's Degree. She imparted that same love of sports and education in her three boys. In August 1960 she returned to the classroom at Forest Park Elementary School in Muncie where she taught for 22 years. After retiring in 1982, she and Jerry enjoyed 19 years of retirement together visiting family scattered throughout the continental US and traveling the world: Hawaii, Alaska, numerous ocean cruises, Mexico, Great Britain, Europe, China, Philippines and hosting annual family reunions at the Brown County Inn. The lived in New Burlington, Indiana for over 60 years and were active members of the New Burlington United Methodist Church for many decades. Jerry died on September 26, 2001 after 64 years of marriage. In March 2003 Rhea left the house that Jerry built and moved to the Atria Highland Crossing in Fort Wright, Kentucky. There she simply enjoyed her 3 sons, their wives: June, Carol Ann and Cindi, 11 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-granddaughters. In the end she will be remembered as a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother devoted to getting her family together. An amazing woman who is now sorely missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of 64 years Garell "Jerry" Readnour, her sisters: Ada Haines, Vera Smith, Marjorie Hinesley, and Laurel Stine, her brothers: Ralph, Hubert and Lowell LaMotte, as well as 2 great-granddaughters: Mary Russell and Lydia Joy Forsyth.

Rhea is survived by her 3 sons Mike (June) Readnour, Jack Readnour, Jon (Cynthia) Readnour, and daughter-in-law Carol Ann Readnour, and her sister Betty Stewart. Her 11 grandchildren include: Rob (Julie) Readnour, Scott (Annette) Readnour, Todd Crosby, Carol Ann (George) Taylor, Jack Readnour, Peter Readnour, Christine (Dwayne Gouge) Readnour-Gouge, Susanne (Jason) Russell, Kathryn (David) Forsyth, Dorian (Mark) Jakubowski, Hannah (Phil Thomson) Readnour and granddaughter-in-laws Jennifer Readnour, Lauren Brown.

Her 44 great-grandchildren include: Brad Readnour, Brian Readnour, Isaac Readnour, Eli Readnour, Elaina Readnour, George Taylor, Joseph Taylor, Dominic Taylor, Vincent Taylor, Anna Readnour, Margaret Readnour, Emma Readnour, Jack Readnour, Will Readnour, Amber (Jimmy) Turner, Jennifer Lynn (Isaac) Hapanowicz, Peter Readnour, Ellen Readnour, Rose Readnour, Lily Readnour, Nicholas Readnour, Connor Gouge, Aiden Gouge, Jason Russell, John Paul Russell, Mark Russell, Anthony Russell, Andrew Russell, Susanna Russell, Ann Marie Russell, Clementine Russell, Lucy Russell, Leo Russell, Elizabeth (Eric) Williams, Mary Kathryn Forsyth, David Forsyth, Claire Forsyth, Joanna Forsyth, Francis Forsyth, Martha Ann Forsyth, Phoebe Forsyth, Josephine Forsyth, Emma Jakubowski, Kyler Jakubowski.

Her 3 great-great-grandchildren include Claire Ann Turner, Cecilia Williams, Vivian Hapanowicz.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 26, 2019 at Blessed Sacrament Church, 2409 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell, Kentucky from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm with the funeral service following immediately at 12:30 pm. Reception following at 1:30 pm.
Burial will take place Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Elm Ridge Cemetery, Muncie, Indiana after the 10:00 am visitation/graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for prayers.


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