Rich L. Olinger, age 65, went home to be with the Lord on Friday morning, March 11, 2011 at his home in Elkhart. Rich was born March 3, 1946 to the late Homer and Susie (Kimes) Olinger in Mishawaka, Indiana. On November 26, 1999, Rich married Dorothy Sowders in Mishawaka.
Dorothy (Herron) Olinger of Elkhart survives, along with Rich''s children, Daniel (Brenda) Olinger of Tecumseh, Michigan, Dana (John) Williams of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Eric Olinger and Marc Olinger, both of Houston, Texas, step-children Chuck Sowders Jr. and Stacy (Trent) Smith, both of Granger, Indiana. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Jacob Olinger, Sierra and Nikko Williams, and Zayen Olinger, and his step grandchildren Maddie and Casey Smith, and Conner Sowders. Rich is also survived by his siblings Mel (Ellie) Olinger of Elkhart, Jerry (Sandy) Olinger of Palmersville, Tennessee, Barbara (Bernie) Payne of Elkhart, and Mae (Chuck) Gushwa of Mishawaka. Rich was very close to his family, and was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

There will be two hours of calling prior to the 11:00 a.m. Memorial Service on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at the Cedar Road Missionary Church in Osceola. Chapel Hill Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Rich graduated from Penn High School in 1964, and attended Bethel College before being drafted into the U.S. Army in October, 1966. He served one year in Vietnam and obtained the rank of Sergeant E-5 prior to his honorable discharge in October, 1968. Rich was employed by the Ford Motor Company, where he was a member of the UAW for 32 years before retiring in 1999. He and his wife Dorothy moved to Tennessee in 2001. Rich enjoyed deer hunting and walks in the woods. Rich and Dorothy are members of Thompson Creek Baptist Church in Como, Tennessee. Rich also loved to sing and listen to Gospel music. In 2011, Rich was awarded the Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award from Penn High School, which was presented by Congressman Joe Donnelly.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ALS Research in Rich's name. His granddaughter, Maddie, will be participating in the MDA walkathon on March 19th, 2011. All funds raised by her team will be donated towards ALS research in the name of Richard Olinger. Donation envelopes will be available at the church or may be mailed to the MDA 314 W. Catalpa Suite F, Mishawaka, IN, 46545.

Dorothy would like to thank all the friends and family members for all their help and care for Rich during his time of need.