Joyce RichterJoyce went to be with our Savior at midnight April 19, 2023; she was 80 years old.
She was born January 5, 1943, in Gary, to Howard and Hilda Luedtke. She married George Cook in 1962 and was remarried to Charles Richter in 1970 until his passing in 1997, having five children. Joyce grew up in Merrillville and graduated from Merrillville High School in 1961. She had three siblings: Linda Gilpen, Wabash; Ken Luedtke and Glen Luedtke, both in Lafayette.
Joyce lived in many places in her life, but spent the greater part of the last 35 years in Silver Lake. When she graduated from high school, she became a beautician and became a small resale shop owner when she lived in Phoenix, Ariz. The majority of her career was spent as a rural route mail carrier in Camden and Silver Lake, where she served for nearly 25 years before retiring in 2003.
She enjoyed her arts and crafts, was proud of being our family historian, but what brought her the most joy were her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and, yes, her great-great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Tammy (1977); husband, Charles; grandson, Scott Whitworth Jr.; and son-in-law, Scott Whitworth Sr.
She is survived by her children: Sandra Miller (Dale), Logansport; Eric Richter, Indianapolis; Trent Richter (Christine), Lafayette; and Tracy Richter (Stephanie), Hilliard, Ohio. She is also survived by five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
We will celebrate Mom’s life at Cree Funeral Home in Camden on Saturday, April 22 at 2 p.m. Visiting hours will be from noon to 2 p.m., with a memorial service following at Cree Funeral Home where all are welcome to join. Her body will be interred at Camden Cemetery following the memorial. All are welcome to join for a meal after at the Camden American Legion after the service.
