Evelyn Irene Reis, 93, of Chenoa passed away at 4:37 am, Thursday, June 7, 2012 at Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community, Chenoa.


A Celebration of her life service will be 11 am, Saturday, June 16, 2012 at the Chenoa United Methodist Church, Chenoa with Pastor Carrie Carnes officiating. Inurnment will follow in Chenoa Cemetery, Chenoa. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Visitation will be one hour prior to her service at the church on Saturday. Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Chenoa is assisting the family with arrangements.

Evelyn was born September 17, 1918 in Chenoa the daughter of Harry James and Mary Henrietta (Oldenburg) Miller. She married Hugo Robert Reis on November 17, 1940 in St. Louis, MO. He passed away on May 20, 1996.

Survivors include one son, Thomas Lee (Mari Ann) Reis of Indianapolis, IN; seven grandchildren, Paul Thomas Reis (Donovan Cox) of Hilliard, OH; Shawn (Kevin) Nobles and Heather (Jerel) Tomasello both of Tampa Bay, FL; Jeremy (Jennica) Reis of Lancaster, SC; Megan (Matthew) Guist of Orlando, FL; Shelly (Tim) Shoulders of Carmel, IN; Sarah (Daren) Carter of Indianapolis, IN; sixteen great grandchildren, Grace, Sophia and Joelle Nobles; Colby, Catie and Zachary Tomasello; Emily, Evelyn, Julia, Isabelle and Elijah Reis; Madeline, Joshua and Emily Shoulders; Carson Carter and Mason Guist.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one son, Jerold Michael Reis on February 5, 2001 and one sister, Elizabeth Wilkins on November 16, 2003.

Memorials may be directed to Chenoa United Methodist Church, Chenoa Historical Society or Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community all of Chenoa.

Mrs. Reis was a 1936 graduate of Chenoa High School and attended ISNU, Normal. She was an executive secretary for State Farm Insurance Companies and Chenoa Community Schools from 1951-1974. She spent the next ten years working at Meadows Mennonite Retirement Community, as Volunteer Director and Round Robin Editor. She retired in 1984 and enjoyed winters with her husband in Sarasota, FL.

She served on numerous boards in her community and was an active member of the Chenoa Women's Club, Arts and Travel Club, and Historical Society.

Evy loved to write and many of her poems and articles are published in national magazines. She wrote and directed pageants over the years for the Chenoa's Alumni Association, Women's Club and United Methodist Church. She wrote and directed the pageant "Through the Years II" for Chenoa's Sesquicentennial celebration in 2004. She authored several articles published for the Chenoa Historical Society to include "Til I Come Marching Home", "Memories of Chenoa", "History of Chenoa Schools", "Chenoa School Memories" and "Thoughts, Memories and Poetry". In July of 2005 she was named "Chenoan of the Year"