Louis "Pete" Dean Righter

Louis “Pete” Dean Righter of Steelville, MO was born on Wednesday, April 26, 1944 in St. Louis City, MO to Maurice F. Righter and Helen B. (Potter) Righter. He passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at SSM Health St. Clare Hospital in Fenton, MO at the age of 76 years, 6 months and 29 days.

Pete was raised by his Granny, Lottie Potter, and “Aunt Babe”, Elenora Shedd in Eminence, MO.  He graduated from Eminence High School with the Class of 1962.  He married the love of his life, Barbara Hellen Ruble on September 6, 1963 at the old Center Point Baptist Church in Steelville, MO by Rev. Ernest Snodgrass, and to this union three children were born.  Pete worked at Merritt Sawmill and Reed Lumber before moving to Wisconsin, where they lived for three years and he worked buying walnut timber.  After they returned to Steelville, he started Righter Logging which became a lifelong career for him and his son Jimmy, who he was proud to work with every day.  He also worked with Bill Missey and Larry Adams on occasion, he’d do anything to make a dollar.  Pete belonged to the Steelville Fire Department for over 15 years where he served on the board and was a Safety Officer.  He accepted the Lord early in life and attended Straightway Baptist Church. Pete enjoyed the little things in life, such as watching hummingbirds and going out to his shed to listen to the rain (or to fall asleep listening to the rain).  He looked forward to planting cornfields each year with his great grandson, Trysten.  He enjoyed to fish, hunt and gig, but more so fish with his grandkids.  Pete was a man to look up to and taught his family many life lessons.  Pete was a helping hand when he was needed, not just physically but emotionally, for the entire community.  He helped with many benefits and was looked up to and cherished by so many.  Most of all, there was wasn’t anything more important to him than his family and he loved them all tremendously.  Pete was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend who will be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his father Maurice F. Righter; stepmother Hazel Righter; grandmother Lottie Potter; grandfather Louis “Date” (Lola) Potter; special aunt “Aunt Babe”’; parents-in-law Voyd and Lucille Ruble; half-sister Joyce Alexander; brothers-in-law Mark Anderson and Bill Wood, Sr.; sister-in-law Shirley (John) Eaton and uncle Louis (Bartley) Potter.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years Barb Righter of Steelville, MO; children Lisa (Danny) Brooks of Steelville, MO, Becky (Kim) Eaton of Cherryville, MO and Jimmy (Tonia) Righter of Steelville, MO; grandchildren Robbie Brooks (Miranda), Brad Brooks (Beth), Candice (Robbie) Richter, Ethan Righter and Rylee Righter all of Steelville, MO and Logan Eaton (Makala) of Cherryville, MO; great grandchildren Kaylee, Peyton, Jaxson, Kelcee, Ryker, Cash, Charlie, Trysten, Garrett, Emmitt, Raygan, Camden, Briley, Stetson and babies Raylynn Richter and Blakely Eaton on the way; mother Helen Alexander of Boca Raton, FL; siblings Rick (Lorna) Righter and Susan Anderson (companion Richard Donahue) both of  New Glarus, WI and Janet (Ray "Butch") Garms of Fayette, MO and Dora Carey of Boca Raton, FL; brother-in-law Gene (Mae) Ruble of Steelville, MO; sister-in-law Joan Wood of Steelville, MO; special aunts Daphyne Potter, Jean Dotson, Elenora (Punky) Blunkall, Charlotte Orchard, Birdie Prewett and Patti King; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Visitation was from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Monday, November 30, 2020 at Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO. Funeral Service was at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO with Rev. Alan Miles and Rev. Jerry Beers officiating.  Burial was at the Righter Family Cemetery, Steelville, MO.  Memorials were suggested to Whitney Waller's medical expenses.

Pallbearers were Robbie Brooks, Brad Brooks, Candice Richter, Logan Eaton, Ethan Righter, Rylee Righter, Trysten Richter and Garrett Richter.

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.

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