Stanley Dean Rider Sr.

Stanley Dean Rider Sr., 87, of Fowler, passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Creasy Springs Health Campus in Lafayette, Indiana. He was born July 26, 1939, to the late Archie Verlon Rider and Eleanor Elizabeth (Holihan) Rider.

Stanley spent almost his entire life in the town of Fowler, Indiana, and was a graduate of Fowler High School, Class of 1957. He married Cheryl Elaine Pemberton in 1966, and they later divorced. He is survived by his daughter, Christina M. Dearinger (husband Don); three sons, S. Dean Rider Jr. (widower of Heather Hostetler), Jason P. Rider, and Lance W. Rider (wife Da Wang); a grandson, Luke Dearinger; triplet granddaughters, Samantha, Autumn, and Mahala Rider; and grandson James Rider.

He was preceded in death by his longtime companion, Rose Ellen Vanderwall (deceased July 18, 2024); daughter Deborah L. Rider (deceased October 4, 1980); his mother, Eleanor Elizabeth Holihan (deceased November 7, 2008); his father, Archie Verlon Rider (deceased May 23, 1980); his daughter-in-law, Heather A. Hostetler (deceased August 5, 2015); and his cat, Ralph, in 2026.

Stanley worked almost his entire life in the town of Fowler. He was a skilled tradesman, owning and operating Rider Construction Company, which included carpentry, electrical work and plumbing services. He also studied in Chicago to obtain certifications in television repair and refrigeration. He was a paramedic in the Army National Guard, was called into active duty in 1962, and trained in Texas around the time of the Berlin Crisis and the Vietnam War. He spent his later years mostly in public service as a Benton County EMT, rising to the rank of EMT director. He also served for over two decades as a rural postal carrier in Fowler for the United States Postal Service.

He was an avid collector of everything, particularly firearms and cars. He loved to drive for hours, though never far from home, seeing friends and neighbors around town countless times a day. He loved antique stores, rummage sales, and any sort of bargain he could haggle for. He was always working on his next project rather than his current ones. He was a proponent of hunting, supporting multiple organizations, including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Pheasants Forever. He was the Benton County historian alongside his longtime companion, Rose Ellen Vanderwall. He was also a 4-H leader for many years, supporting his children's involvement. He was a devoted son and visited his mother almost every day of her life.

Stanley lived a life rooted in Fowler, where he worked, served his community, pursued his many interests, and built lasting connections with friends and neighbors.

Visitation will be from 5-8 pm, October 29 at the Gerts, Windler & Keller funeral home. The funeral service will be held at 10 am, October 30 in the funeral home, with burial immediately following in Fowler Cemetery. Mary van Wijk will officiate.

Arrangements are entrusted to Gerts, Windler & Keller Funeral Homes - Fowler Chapel, 506 E. Main St., Fowler, IN 47944. (765) 884-0110. www.kellerfh.com