Erma J. Ridenhour

Erma J. Ridenhour, age 86, of Belle passed away Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Frene Valley in Owensville.

Erma was born January 31, 1934, in rural Osage County, a daughter to the late Chesley and Mattie (Butler) Mitchem.

Erma was a lifelong area resident and a member of the First Christian Church in Belle.

On June 21, 1952 she was united in marriage to Delmer Smith. Delmer preceded her in death on September 26, 1981. Erma found love again and in 1987 she married Jack Ridenhour. Jack also preceded her in death on February 5, 1991.

Erma had been employed at both the International Shoe Company and the Brown Shoe Company.

Erma was strong in her faith to God and was very active in her church where, among other things, helped make desserts for V.B.S and folding the bulletins for Sunday service. She enjoyed doing embroidering, cross stitch, and collecting nick knacks. Erma was an immaculate house cleaner and liked to work in her yard and garden in the summer. Her greatest joy came from time spent with her family and friends and she will be missed greatly by those that knew and loved her.

Erma is survived by: one son, Dwane Smith and his wife Constance of Belle; six grandchildren, Anna McWilliams and her husband Levi of West Plains, Travis Smith and his wife Lauri of Webster Grove, Kyle Smith and his wife Chelsea of St. Peters, Justin Smith and his wife Angelia of Eugene, Oregon, Ben Strode and his wife Katie of Olney, Illinois, and  Rebekah Miller and her husband Logan of Belle; eleven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy “Dot” Hafley of Belle and Judy Ridenhour and her husband Jim of Belle; and one daughter-in-law, Bonnie Elrod as well as many extended family members and friends.

In addition to her parents and husbands, Erma was preceded in death by one son, Danny Smith.  

Visitation for Erma will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at the First Christian Church in Belle. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Ben Strode officiating. Interment will be in the College Hill Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the College Hill Cemetery.