Edna Fern Rea

Fern Rea
Edna Fern Rea, 89 of Kirksville passed away Wednesday (December 1, 2010) at Northeast Regional Medical Center.
Fern was born October 18, 1921 in Wyconda, MO, the daughter of Howard and Lona (St. Clair) Northcraft. On May 9, 1943 she married Dr. George Rea and he preceded her in death in May of 1973. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one son, Roger Rea in May of 2003, two sisters, Gertrude Vince and Vivian Cole, and two brothers, William Northcraft and Robert Northcraft.
Surviving in one son, Rodney Rea of Largo, FL; two grandchildren, Clinton Rea and Leah Renne-Rea; one great grandchild, Angelena Renne-Ruez; one sister, Emma Lou Hetzler; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Fern was a graduate of Kirksville High School. She worked for the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company before marrying Dr. George Rea in 1943. As her husband was a radiologist and on the faculty at KCOM for 30 years, Fern was involved with the KCOM faculty wives group. She was also a long time member of the Third Contemporary Club. Before retirement, she also worked for the Kirksville Public Schools and Hollister Incorporated.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church for over 65 years, where she was a longtime Sunday School Teacher and Church Hostess/Official Greeter. Fern loved to feed and watch birds; she also loved to fish. She was an avid radio listener and especially loved to listen to St. Louis Cardinals games. Fern loved her neighbors around Brashear Park and also loved a good card game of Canasta.
Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday (December 4, 2010) at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home with Reverend Marty Joplin officiating.
Visitation with the family will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the
Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233
Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church for the Lottie Moon Christmas offering.