Nadine Schluter Rideout

Nadine Schluter Rideout passed away on August 5, 2011, at Grace Living Center in Jenks, OK, after suffering a stroke three weeks earlier. Iris Nadine (Coleman) Schluter Rideout was born on June 29, 1925, in Dongola, IL, to George Lee Coleman and Seva Agnes Coleman. She had three brothers (Fred, Ed, and Bob) and one sister (Helen). Her sister Frances passed away before Nadine was born. She attended Dongola High School, where she played the French horn and basketball. There, she met her future husband, Edgar Leo 'Tiny' Schluter. They were married at Camp Lee, Virginia, on November 28, 1944. Leo was immediately shipped to Europe to work as an x-ray technician in World War II. Nadine worked in a factory in East Saint Louis during this time. After the war, Nadine and Leo moved to Cleveland, OH. There, Leo worked at the Crile Hospital taking photos of skin grafts on veterans. When Leo was discharged from the army in 1946, they pulled a very small trailer to New Haven, CT. They lived in the trailer while Leo attended photography school. Nadine worked as a secretary at the freshman office of Yale University. They moved back to Dongola, IL, where they operated a photography studio for a brief time. In 1947 they moved to Poplar Bluff, MO, for Leo to attend watchmaking school. They were blessed with a daughter, Peggy, on April 7, 1948. They soon opened the photography studio known as Tiny's Studio. The studio was located on Main Street in the basement of Mrs. Kershner's house, which was also where they lived. Later, they moved the studio to Pine Street. The studio was downstairs, and they lived upstairs. They moved the studio once more before retiring in October of 1977. After retiring, they enjoyed exploring the country in their travel trailer while Nadine worked on her genealogy research. Nadine took great joy in visiting her daughter and grandchildren, Carrie and Matt, in Springfield, MO. She was a talented artist and enjoyed many hobbies. She sewed, made ceramics in her kiln, and even made moonshine for her famous cranberry wine jelly. She started making porcelain dolls, which she named Carrimatt Dolls (after her grandchildren). She was handy around the house, as well, painting, wallpapering, stenciling the carport, etc. She loved to dance. She and Leo spent many nights each week at the Senior Citizen Dances. When Leo passed away on August 3, 1989, one way she grieved the loss was through her ceramics. She poured herself into her hobbies, daughter, and grandchildren. She found love a second time when she married Ralph Rideout on November 13, 1993. She and Ralph enjoyed dancing, as well. He even convinced her to ride his horse, Rose, despite her lifetime fear of them. She was greatly saddened when Ralph passed away on October 13, 2001. In the years that followed, she was blessed with two great-grandchildren, Anna Grace 'Gracie' (born Oct. 2, 2003) and Grant (born June 22, 2006) Bowler. They became lights in her life, and treasured spending every holiday with their GeeGee. No one could get a bigger smile out of Nadine than Gracie and Grant. She was also excited about the upcoming wedding of her grandson, Matt, on August 20th. During her 86 years, Nadine was loved and adored by her family and countless friends. She was a loving, loyal wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Although she will be greatly missed by those left behind, we rejoice at the fact that she is whole and happy once more, dancing with the Ultimate dance partner. Nadine is survived by her daughter, Peggy (Schluter) Tinsley, her grandson and his fianc'e, Matt Tinsley and Emily Syrett, her granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Carrie (Tinsley) Bowler and Matt Bowler, and her two great-grandchildren, Anna Grace and Grant Bowler. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in Poplar Bluff, MO, at South Poplar Bluff General Baptist Church on Friday, August 12, at 11:00 a.m. The church is located at 817 Arthur Street. Graveside services will be held in Dongola, Illinois, at the American Legion Cemetery on Saturday, August 13, at 11:00 a.m. In memory of Nadine, donations may be made to: Community Nutrition Center at Twin Towers 506 E. Hazel Street Poplar Bluff, MO 63901