Reatha B. (Stickney) Lake

Reatha B. Lake, 89, of Shannon, IL and formerly of Steele Avenue in Shelby, died Thursday, June 10, 2010 at the Provena St. Joseph Center in Freeport, IL. She was born January 29, 1921 in Antwerp, OH the daughter of the late Dale & Madonna (Billman) Stickney.

She was a 1939 graduate of Shelby High School. Reatha had always been very active and community minded wherever she lived. She made her home in Shelby until moving to Shannon to be near her son and his wife in 2004. She retired from Shelby City Schools where she had been a school bus driver. Reatha was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, Good Fellowship Class at church, the FOE Auxiliary and had been a tour director for AARP.

When she moved to Shannon, she became a member of Bethel United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school and was involved in her circle. She recently received the Special Mission Recognition Award from the United Methodist Women. She loved crocheting & quilting and had made many blankets for AIDS babies and the Linus Project. She was a certified BBQ judge for the Kansas City Barbeque Society.

Reatha is survived by her son: Mike (Theresa) Lake of Shannon, IL; grandson: John (Nancy) Lake, Riverview, FL; 2 brothers: Jack (Ruth) Stickney of Springfield, OH and Kenneth Stickney of Atlanta, GA; several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband: Warren Lake in 1981 and by 2 sons: Steven Lake in 2003 and Jeffrey Lake in 1987; and a brother: Cecil Pete Stickney 2003.

Memorial services will be at 10:00 AM on Thursday, June 24, 2010 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Shelby with Rev. Dr. Karl Stonebraker officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM – 10 AM at the church. Private burial will be at Myers Cemetery in Shelby. Memorial expressions may be made to FHN Hospice or Provena St. Joseph Center of Freeport, % Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, OH 44875. On-line condolences may be made at
penwellturner.com