Dorothy Irene Rittenhouse

Dorothy Irene (Brumfield) Rittenhouse, 72, of Springfield, Ohio passed away surrounded by family after battling cancer. Dorothy was born November 24, 1950 in Norfolk Virginia. The oldest child of Donald Eugene Brumfield and Pauline Faye (Andrus) Brumfield. Dorothy grew up in Washington, Florida, and California as her family moved for her father’s Navy service. The family returned to Springfield in 1967 and she graduated in 1969 from Springfield South High School. She met the love of her life, Steven Lee Rittenhouse at a Junior Achievement event. Their first date was prom. They married in 1970 and spent over 52 years loving and annoying each other. Together they farmed and had 4 children: Steven (Jennifer) of South Charleston, Shonda of Springfield, Scott (Sasha) of New Carlisle, and Shane (Alicia) of Springfield.

Dorothy was a Grandma, Grammy and Nana of 10: Evan and Emma Rittenhouse; AJ (Samantha) Cook, Amelia and Alivia Eberhard; Lara, Lexi, and Rylan Rittenhouse; and Dorothea and Liam Rittenhouse. She was Gigi (great grandma) to Colt and Camden Irwin and Briley Cook.

Dorothy loved her grand - and great grand-children and was so proud and supportive of all that they were involved in. She attended many sporting events, 4-H activities, dance competitions and recitals, and enjoyed trips to the zoos, doing crafts, and just being with them. They brought much joy to her life.

Dorothy loved to travel. Her adventures took her all over the U.S. and the world. She most loved her trips to Italy, Greece, Germany, New Zealand, and Australia. She visited over 16 different countries and traveled to most of the U.S. including a cruise to Alaska and a trip to Hawaii. Her travels were always adventurous to say the least, especially her most recent adventures to Tennessee and Missouri.

She was known for “Dorothy's Annual Egg Hunt '', an event that she started for her grandchildren. Over the years it grew and became such a spectacular event that dozens of kids came. Dorothy also loved Christmas and enjoyed building gingerbread houses with the grandkids. She had a love of antiques and everything craft related.

She was a 1989 graduate of Urbana University where she studied Education and Special Education and went on to teach for 26 years. She loved all of her special students and loved being a part of their educational journey, they all left an impression on her life.

 Dorothy was loved by all and she loved everyone. One special person in her life is her BFF, Katy Cupps. Their friendship spanned nearly 50 years and included so many adventures, each one with a story of some sort.

Dorothy is survived by her siblings Donald Jr. (Sonnie) Brumfield of Wichita, Kansas; David (Kim) Brumfield, Urbana; Daniel (Donna) Phoenix, AZ; and Dale (Julie) Brumfield, Springfield; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her younger sister D’Anna Brumfield.

Dorothy will be loved forever and missed every day.

If you would like to honor Dorothy, please make a donation in her name to her favorite organization, Shoes 4 the Shoeless, where every child deserves a new, properly fitting gym shoes and socks.

Pallbearers : Steven T. Rittenhouse, Scott Rittenhouse, Shane Rittenhouse, Dave Brumfield, Dale Brumfield, AJ Cook, Evan Rittenhouse, Justin Enigk.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, October 5, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Jackson Lytle and Lewis Life Celebration Center, Springfield. The family will also receive guests from 12:00-1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 6, 2023. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, also at the funeral home. Dorothy will be laid to rest at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens immediately following the funeral service. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.jacksonlytle.com.