Obituaries

Dena F. Lawrence 76, Akron

Dena F. Lawrence 76, Akron, passed away at 6:22 A.M. Monday, February 6, 2023, at her residence.

She was born on November 23, 1946 in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of James Robert and Edith Opal (Petty) Verhines. She married Bishop Robert Ritter Sr. in 1969. They later divorced. On September 6, 2003, in Rochester, Indiana, she married Jimmy S. Lawrence. He preceded her in death.

Dena worked at Hart, Schaffner and Marx for over twenty years until her retirement. She graduated from Ivy Tech Community College with a degree in business. She belonged to the Pentecostal Church, having attended Sanctuary of Praise and New Beginnings Glorious Church, where she loved playing the piano. She enjoyed sewing, making costumes for her grandchildren on Halloween, singing, and playing the organ. Dena also enjoyed dancing with the Rochester square dancers and was known for her excellent tasting Hershey’s fudge. Most of all she loved spending time with her family, listening to gospel music and harmonizing with her daughter.

Survivors include her daughter Elizabeth “Liz” (Les) Bannister, Akron, Indiana, sons, Timothy Ritter, Rochester, Indiana, and Robert (Stephanie Chilcutt) Ritter Jr. , grandchildren, Destiny (Dillion) Parker, Middletown, Indiana, Autumn Parker, Akron, Indiana, Trenton Ritter, Rochester, Indiana, David Robert Ritter, Rochester, Indiana, Melissa Kline, Culver, Indiana, great grandchildren, Carter Parker, Middletown, Indiana, Kylie Parker, Middletown, Indiana, Amara Kline, Culver, Indiana, Elena Kline, Culver, Indiana, sisters, Rita Burleson, Greenwood, Indiana, Leah Denise Smith, Indianapolis, Indiana, Beverly Jean (Robert) Baker M.D., Orlando, Florida, sister-in-law, Geneva Verhines, Indianapolis, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Teresa Parker and brother, James Linus Verhines.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester, Indiana. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday, February 10, 2023 and one hour prior to service Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Tippecanoe Cemetery, Tippecanoe, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dena Lawrence Memorial Fund through the funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh.com

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