Catherine Louise Rider, 85, a lifelong resident of Gallatin County, died Wednesday, May 18, 2005, in St. Mary's Hospital in Evansville, Ind.

She was born Dec. 23, 1919, in Ridgway to the late Frank and Mae (Roe) Abell. She was married to Vincent Rider, who preceded her in death in 2003.

She was a homemaker, helping on the farm and raising the children. She was a superb seamstress, excellent cook and loved to travel in her later years. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Pond Settlement and most recently, since moving to town, was attending St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ridgway. She had been very active and supportive to both parishes. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She will be sadly missed by her family and many friends of the area.

She is survived by five daughters, Delores (Ray) Scherrer and Aggie (Jerry) Patton, both of Shawneetown, Jane (Jeff) Whiting of Galatia, Susie (Greg) Huson of McLean, Va. and Rita Brown and Gene Joiner of Harrisburg; three sons, Charles (Cindy) Rider of Florissant, Mo., Thomas (Barbara) Rider of Middleton, Ohio and Tony Rider of Shawneetown; 15 grandchildren, Angela and Bill Watson, Dan and Karen Scherrer, Joe and Karen Scherrer, Mike Patton, Klay, Katie and Kristina Rider, Jason and Statia Rider, Timothy and Amy Whiting, Nicholas Whiting, Matt Rider, Ben, Zack and Josh Huson and Scott Brown; and four great-grandchildren, Jacob and Anna Watson, Bradyn Whiting and Nathan Scherrer.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Ed, Cletus and Art Abell; two sisters, Geneva Rider and Wilma Daily; and a son, James Rider.

A funeral Mass will be said 10 a.m. Friday, May 20, 2005, at St. Patrick's Church in Pond Settlement with Fr. Mark Stec officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery in Pond Settlement. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 19, 2005, at Cox and Son Funeral Home in Ridgway with a prayer service 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the St. Patrick's Church Building and Maintenance Fund.

May 19, 2005 Harrisburg Illinois Daily Register