Rita Ann Shreve

Rita Ann (Jessup) Shreve, 67 of Albany, Indiana passed away at home after a long and

courageous battle with cancer.

Rita was born at Marion General Hospital in Marion, Indiana, to the late Roger L. and

Geraldine Ann (Mitchener) Jessup. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, sister Karen

Sue (Jessup) Trumbo and brother William H. (Bill) Jessup, maternal and paternal

grandparents.

She dearly loved growing up on the farm, being with her family and being involved in 4-H

and church.

Rita graduated from Madison-Grant High School in 1977. She was the Senior Class

President.

Rita continued her education and graduated from Ball State University in 1983 earning her

BS degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She furthered her education by attending

Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky, earning a Master of Art degree in 1985.

After graduating from her master's program, she practiced her skills at Wayne Industries, a

non-profit charity organization that served individuals with disabilities, offering

employment and vocational training. She was part of their professional rehabilitation staff.

Her career changed into healthcare Rita was the director of Speech & Language Pathology

at Lifelines Children's Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana, caring for severely disabled children.

Wanting to be closer to family Rita became a staff Speech Language Pathologist at Ball

Memorial Hospital, Muncie, Indiana working with rehab patients daily.

Continuing her career growth Rita was an Assistant Professor of Speech-Language

Pathology at Ball State University, she taught graduate courses as well as worked with

students and patients in the University Clinic. Rita had a gift of diagnostics and could see

beyond any handicap to the heart of her patients. She loved her profession, but most of all

her patients. She retired from Ball State University in December of 2024.

Rita was a member of, American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) as well as the

Desoto United Methodist Church. She enjoyed cooking and gardening.

Rita will be dearly missed by her loving husband Larry W. Shreve, whom she married on July

25, 1992.

Surviving family members, sister, Mary Jessup, Columbia, City, Indiana, nephew, Jeff (Sara)

Jessup, Summitville, Indiana, niece, Sarah (Adam) Smith, Fairmount, Indiana, great

nephew and niece, (twins) Jace & Aniston Jessup, brother-in-law, Steve Shreve, Muncie,

Indiana, aunt, Kay Jessup, Fairmount; along with many cousins on the Jessup & Mitchener

family tree.

A special thank you to caregivers Annie Chalfant and Faith Brenneman, the prayer warriors

known and unknown, those who sent cards and flowers throughout her cancer journey.

Services for Rita have been entrusted to the Fairmount Chapel of Armes-Hunt Life

Celebration Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 South Main Street, Fairmount

Visitation will be May 7, 2026, at Fairmount Friends Church, Fairmount, Indiana, 124 West

1st Street, Fairmount, Indiana, with viewing 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with Celebration of Life

beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Park Cemetery, Fairmount, Indiana.

Memorial contributions can be made payable to (World Vision). World Vision is a faith-

based global charity powered by Jesus' love. Donations are for sanitary water in third world

countries.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com