Paula Elizabeth Ridenour

Paula Elizabeth Ridenour, 67, of Wharton, died Memorial Day, May 29, 2017, in Wharton. Paula was born on March 21, 1950, in Kendallville, Indiana, to Cecil Dale and Hilda Mae Vaughn Ridenour. Paula was raised primarily in Michigan and Indiana. As a child, she spent much of her time with extended family forming strong bonds with her cousins. At the age of 16 she made the decision to leave school. She told her counselor her family was moving to Florida and went home to tell her parents what she had done. Her father insisted she get a job, but was very relieved when she decided to enlist in the U.S. Navy. She entered the Navy less than a month after she turned 18. She later went on to get her high school diploma from Hanford Adult High School at the age of 21. She later earned a Bachelor’s of Science from the University of New York, her Masters of Arts from Webster University and her Ph.D. from California Coast University. Furthering her education allowed her to climb the ranks in the Navy and she became a Mustang Officer. She worked primarily in Aircraft Maintenance though her career and visited Ports of Call throughout the world. She retired as a Commander in 1999, after 31 ½ years in the Navy. As a civilian, she worked primarily in the Defense industry until her retirement from Lockheed Martin in 2013. She continued to work part time as a Substitute Teacher for the Fort Worth ISD until she moved to Wharton in 2015. She taught English as a Second Language through both the Watauga and Wharton Public Librarys. She also enjoyed gardening, spending time with family, and her animals. Paula was preceded in death by her father and step-mother, Cecil and Doris Ridenour; mother Hilda Mae Vaughn, and an infant son. She was survived by her wife Melissa Ridenour; sons Lonnie, Rob & Kelly, Greg & Anessia and Joey; special friends and family Lynne Fratt, Mitzi & Candice Hawn, Sherry Ridenour, Hope & Chris Toledo, Larry Rose, Lee Wessel and Dane Christensen; grandchildren Charles, Alexis, Ryan, Brice, Trey and Tristan; and furry children Cotton, Gracie and Sophie. Following cremation, memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 2 pm in the Chapel of Wharton Funeral Home with Rev. Debbie Cenko officiating. Military honors will be under the auspices of the members of the Wharton American Legion and VFW. Funeral services under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home. Condolences may be left at www. whartonfuneralhome.com.