On August 5, 2017, age 88, Betty Jo (Jodie) Reith celebrated her new life with family and friends in heaven.

    Jodie was born August 2, 1929 in Rimersburg Pa, to William and Jessie (Carmichael) Culbertson, the youngest of five. She was a graduate of Rimersburg High School and went onto Business Training School in Pittsburgh, where she graduated with a secretarial degree, a member of the Alpha Delta Iota Society.

     After business school, she worked in Pittsburgh, where she met the love of her life, William Reith, and they married on April 2, 1949, in Clairton Pa. She became a stay-at-home mom, raising their four children. They relocated to Conneaut in 1962 where she worked at Al’s Motors Sales. After leaving Al’s, she was often the daycare for the working moms of the neighborhood.

     One of her most joyous occasions is when she and Bill became members of St. Mary Catholic Church, baptized, confirmed and renewing their vows in 1985. She was also a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.

     Her garden overflowed with colors of every hue and she loved to feed the birds. A devoted wife and mother, time with her family was the most cherished. An avid writer, she wrote poems for family, friends and occasions. She loved singing in the Corpus Christi choir and the camaraderie of those who folded bulletins with her at the church and everyone waited for her family recipe pound cakes at Christmas!

     Jodie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, William Reith, daughters Vicki Gustafson and Cindy Peters, son William Reith, three brothers Melvin, Cecil and William Culbertson, sister Imogene McElhatten, grandson Michael Jury, great-great granddaughter Lanie Jae Powell and daughter-in-law Diane Reith.

    She is survived by a daughter Lori (Kevin) Jury of Conneaut, 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, several great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

    Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Raisian Family Funeral Home, 581 Harbor St., Conneaut.

    Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 10, 2017, at St. Mary Church in Conneaut, with Father Philip Miller of Corpus Christi Parish officiating.

    Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memory Gardens in Kingsville.

    Memorial contributions can be made in Betty’s name to the Alzheimer’s Foundations or to the family to help with funeral expenses.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

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