Juanita Reis Rash

Juanita (Helfrich) Reis Rash, age 84, joined her late husbands (Milton Reis and L.E. “Joe” Rash) on September 2, 2008 at Deaconess Hospice Care Center. Juanita and Milt were married on June 4, 1946. They owned and operated the Five Mile House on New Harmony Road from 1949 until 1962, then continued in business as the Reis Catering Service until 1980. After retiring, they enjoyed camping in their motor home and wintering in Florida. Of course, they continued their great cooking (especially fried chicken and chicken & dumplings). He died on April 5, 1987 (her birthday). Joe was from Decatur, IN (near Ft. Wayne). He and Juanita were introduced by camping friends and, after their marriage on December 14, 1996, he moved to Evansville. They enjoyed camping and continued that for several years. They wintered in Lady Lake, FL. Joe passed away August 2, 2008. Juanita belonged to Resurrection Catholic Church. From the time of her retirement, she was an avid golfer, active member of Evansville North Civitan and Elks Club in Lady Lake, Florida, donated to numerous charities, and did a great deal of volunteer work. Juanita is survived by a daughter, Kathy Greulich and husband Charlie of Branson, MO; three sons, Jim Reis and his wife Connie, of Evansville, Steve Reis and his wife, Jeanne of Jacksonville, IL, and Michael of Indianapolis, IN. Juanita also had 7 grandchildren: Jeri Branson of Hinesville, GA; Holly Schneider of Evansville; Cindy Anslinger of Evansville; Joe J. Greulich of Evansville; Julie Reis of Salem, Oregon; Sara Howle of Indianapolis; and John Reis of Evansville. Juanita also had 10 great-grandchildren. She was loved dearly by Joe Rash’s sons and their families; Tom and Elaine Rash of Decatur IN, Dennis and Phyllis Rash of Bluffton IN, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She is fondly remembered by very special friends, Don & Julitta Flick. In addition to her husbands, also preceding her in death were her parents, Bill & Ethel (Skeels) Helfrich, a son, Tom Reis, brother Bill Helfrich, sister Eileen (Helfrich) Hartig. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ISD (Indiana School for the Deaf) Library Fund (1200 E. 42nd St., Indianapolis, IN 46205-2099), Tri-State Food Bank (801 E. Michigan St., Evansville, IN 47711), or an organization of your choice. Funeral services for Juanita will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, September 6, 2008 at Resurrection Catholic Church, Rev. Phil Kreilein officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 until 8:00 P.M. on Friday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street, where there will be a memorial service conducted by the church at 4:00 P.M. Friends may also visit from 9:30 A.M. until service time on Saturday at Resurrection Catholic Church.

Juanita Reis Rash

April 5, 1924 - September 2, 2008