Rita J. Divine

September 27, 1948 - February 13, 2021

Dateline Jasper, Indiana Rita J. Divine, age 72, passed away on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at the home she shared with her brother. She was born on September 27, 1948 to John and Hilda Arvin. She was a 1966 graduate of Loogootee St. John’s where she was the Salutatorian. She went on to Indiana University and received her Master’s Degree in Education. She worked for Southside Junior High School in Columbus, Indiana where she lived for 43 years. Rita loved life. She enjoyed music, IU basketball, watching movies with her friend Jacob, and learning the lives of Princess Diana, Jackie and John F. Kennedy. She loved all the towns she lived in including; Columbus, Odon, Bedford, Washington, Jasper and Mitchell. She never met a stranger. She was kind to all especially Tony Stewards parents. She will be greatly missed by her brother. Surviving are three children; Stephanie (Donald) Griffin, Seymour, IN, Scott Divine, Seymour, IN, Andrea Divine, Boston, MA, five grandchildren; Brittany Sluder, Abigail Griffen, Ezra Sthlechner and one step-grandchild, Jeremiah Griffen , one brother; Glen Arvin, Jasper, IN, two sisters; Lois Stickell, Charlotte, NC, Ruth Hovis, Loogootee, IN, and one niece, Angela Wagler, four nephews; Dan and David Hovis and Jonathan and Christopher Stickell, Preceding her in death is one son-in-law, Larry Sluder, ex-husband, Donald Divine and her beloved nephew, John D. Hovis, 3 brothers; Dennis and Joseph, who died in infancy, and Raymond John Arvin. Private services were held at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity. Online condolences may be made at www.becherkluesner.com