Evelyn Louise Reitz, age 96, of Clayton, died Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Charlotte Stephenson Manor in Adrian. She was born April 2, 1929, in Fairfield to Troy A. and Hazel F. (Barhite) Gunter. On December 9, 1950, she married Wilbur Reitz in Angola, IN. Together they raised three children and shared nearly 60 years of marriage before his passing on September 18, 2010.
A 1946 graduate of Sand Creek High School, Evelyn was a lifelong area resident. She worked as a beautician from 1947-1952. She was a faithful member of the Sand Creek Community Church and was president of the Sand Creek Ladies Aid for many years. Evelyn had a lifelong passion for baking and was locally renown for her delicious cinnamon rolls. Later in life she enjoyed making treasured keepsake quilts for her family members as well as knitting hats which she generously donated each winter to those in need. She is fondly remembered for her easy-going personality, and her grandchildren adored her, each of the great-grandchildren cherishing memories with her on her Kubota side-by-side.
She is survived by one son, Richard (Diane) Reitz of Sand Creek; two daughters, Judy Cox (Jim Langton) of Clayton and Betty (Mark) Driskell of Adrian; a sister-in-law, Therese Gunter; seven grandchildren, Lee Cox, Cory Cox, Andrew (Alayna) Cox, Jessica (Chris Ecker), Ryan Reitz, Marissa Reitz, and Marcus Driskell; and 16 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; siblings, Stanley (Alma) Gunter, Larry Gunter, and Phyllis (Lewis) Vehmeier; and a son-in-law, Leroy Cox.
The family will receive friends for a visitation at the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home in Adrian on Friday, February 6, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until a funeral service begins at 2:00 pm. Pastor Jamie Driskill will officiate. Cremation will follow the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sand Creek Ladies Aid. Arrangements have been made with the guidance of the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.