Rita Faye Cole was welcomed into the world on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 1941, by her loving parents Dale E. and Emma L. (Utsler) Cole in Shelbyville.
She was raised in Waldron, IN and attended school there. She received her cosmetology license from House of James Beauty School in 1972. She also worked as a bartender, apartment manager and in various factories over the years.
She had a beautiful singing voice, was a wonderful cook and had a talent for home décor. She loved making a variety of homemade candy for the holidays and baked endlessly. She was a social media aficionado and made her own cooking videos entitled "Taste to Love." She enjoyed being a Pampered Chef consultant in her later years. She was a licensed foster parent in her younger years in Hanover, IN and donated monthly to St. Jude, her favorite charity.
On April 15, 1957, she was united in marriage to Ira H. "Hank" Hartwell Jr. This union was blessed with six children. She was later married to Jack W. Vierling and welcomed her third son.
Rita passed into the Kingdom of Heaven on Oct. 9, 2025, at 2:39 a.m. at MHP Medical Center in Shelbyville.
She will be forever loved and missed by her children-Terry (Kent) Baxter, Stacey (Mark) Fields, Jana (Darrin) Crisman, all of Shelbyville, Alan Hartwell of Moscow, Indiana, Julia (Dwayne) Steward and Jack (Angie) Hartwell of Madison, IN. She will live on in the hearts and minds of her precious grandchildren Jason, Ciara, Travis, Zach, Luke, Holly, Morgan, Danny, Dustin, Lindsey, Meagan, Ashley, Shawn, Cassie, Stephen, Cody, and Seth. She is also survived by her sisters Terry Whicker of Hanover, IN, Lana Reinhart of Louisville, KY, Vickie Holder of Shelbyville, IN and several cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who loved her dearly. She is greatly missed by her precious fur baby, Molly.
She was preceded in death by her parents Dale E. Cole died Sept 3, 1988, her mother Emma Louise Cole died June 7, 1953, her son Skip Hartwell died July 9, 2023 , her grandson Dylan Branham died July 13, 1991, her brothers -Phillip Cole died as an infant in May 1953 and Billy Cole died Oct. 14, 2006, her sisters- Tessa Pursley died May 29, 2002, Donna DeVault Dewaelsche died April 24, 2017, and Judy Nugent died May 24, 2023.
Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, from 4-8 p.m. at Murphy-Parks Funeral Services 703 S. Harrison St Shelbyville, IN.
Funeral service will be Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, at 10 a.m. with internment to follow in Bennett cemetery. A celebration of life dinner will be held at The Lions Club in Manilla, IN following the graveside service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rita's grandson, Cody, in support of his recovery from GBS, in care of the funeral home.
Funeral Directors Greg Parks, Sheila Parks, and Stuart Parks are honored to serve Rita’s family.
Online condolences may be shared at www.murphyparks.com.
