Rachel Nicole Litherland

Rachel Nicole Litherland 28, of Avon, IN passed away January 2, 2015. She was born September 11, 1986, in Evansville, IN, and lived in Avon, IN. She is survived by her mother, Sharon Litherland Lovejoy; her father, Scott Litherland; her brother, Ryan Litherland; her boyfriend, Rickey Howard; her grandmother, Wanda Litherland; and her many aunts, uncles and cousins. She graduated from Avon High School, and attended Purdue University for two years in the Krannert School of Management, majoring in business with a minor in art and design. She then transferred to the University of Illinois where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in the School of Architecture with a minor in Business and Marketing, graduating with highest honors. She was earning a Master’s degree in the School of Architecture + Interior Design, and concurrently a Master's of Business degree at the University of Cincinnati. She served as a volunteer with Architects for Humanity, during which she assisted in Haiti with the post-earthquake rebuild in Port-au-Prince and participated in an art & architecture history study abroad program in Florence, Italy. She was a member of the American Institute of Architecture Students, and served in leadership positions in multiple student professional associations at the University of IL including Associate Director, Career XPO 2009 & 2010; Professional Chair, Society of Business & Management in Architecture, Treasurer for Women in Architecture. She was a recipient of numerous honors and scholarships, including the Edward E. Earl Prize Architecture Scholarship, Howard L. White Scholarship, Mary L. Canon Scholarship, Indiana Architectural Scholarship and was inducted into the Gargoyle Honor Society. She also served as a volunteer at the Champagne County Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, East St. Louis Action Research Project, and Mozel Sanders Foundation Annual Thanksgiving Dinner in Indianapolis. She completed architecture internships at Brenner Design, Indianapolis, the Chicago Park District where she analyzed and presented ADA evaluations for more than 60 parks and field houses and HBRA Architects Inc., Chicago. A memorial service to celebrate her life, well-lived and well-loved, will be held at the Avon United Methodist Church, 6850 E. U.S. Highway 36, Avon, IN 46123, on Saturday, January 10, with visitation from noon until 3 p.m., followed by a church service. Memorials may be made to the Rachel Litherland Memorial Fund and sent to the State Bank Of Lizton, 5201 E. US 36, Suite 213, Avon, IN 46123.