Shirley M. Reiff, 95, formerly of South Whitley and Columbia City, died peacefully at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, where she had been a resident since May of 2019.

She was born May 26, 1925, in New Richmond, Wisconsin, a daughter of the late Alfred and Clara (Olson) Waters. Growing up during the Great Depression, she was raised from age 8 to 17 by two sets of Aunts and Uncles, Fred and Emma Carlson in Pittwood, IL and Earl and Minnie Karr, in rural South Whitley. She completed her formal education at South Whitley High School.

Shirley married Dale J. Reiff on July 18, 1943. They made their home on a farm in rural South Whitley. Dale died on August 4, 1982. In 1995, Shirley moved to Columbia City.

A full-time homemaker raising two children, she also assisted her husband with the farm. She occasionally talked about milking cows and farrowing sows, and of raising vegetables in the truck patch; and of course gathering the eggs which then had to be washed, candled and packed. She was an accomplished seamstress and would make and repair clothing for the family. She also enjoyed growing roses in the flower beds around the sides of the house. Dale and Shirley both loved fishing and spent many summers taking the family on fishing trips in Michigan and Wisconsin.

In the early 1970s, Dale and Shirley retired early and began wintering in Florida, eventually building a home in Bonita Springs. Being a lover of beautiful things Shirley enjoyed collecting many unique and beautiful shells along the beaches around the area where they lived.  Having been a doodler since she was a young child she decided it might be fun to take an art class or two and fell in love with painting. Dale would go fishing and Shirley would paint. Over the years she took many classes, under well-known artists, at various places around the country. She became an accomplished painter using oils, acrylics, and watercolors, and entering art competitions as well. She had several Best in Show awards over the years in Indiana and Florida and was even asked to hold a couple one woman showings, which she was honored to do. She has gifted many of her works.

She was a member of the Pleasant View / Cornerstone Grace Church, South Whitley. Over the years she also had memberships in art guilds in both Indiana and Florida, as well as in the White River Golden Retriever Club.

Surviving are her grandchildren, Rick A. Reiff, Stan D. (Randee) Reiff, and Doug J. (Terri) Reiff, all of South Whitley and Denise Constantine of Georgia; great-grandchildren, Katee (Cord) Feasby, Kelly Reiff, Aly Reiff, Claire Reiff, and Dale Reiff, children of Denise, Brea and Skylar; and two great-great-grandchildren Donavan (son of Brea) and Gauge (son of Cord and Katee Feasby).

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband Dale, a daughter, Joyce Thomas, and a son, Steve Reiff and his wife, Doris; and siblings, Myrtle Grice, Violet Marcott, and Kenneth Waters.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is beside her husband Dale at the South Whitley Cemetery. Visitation is from noon until the service.

Preferred memorials are to Cornerstone Grace Church, South Whitley.

This service will be live-streamed on our Facebook page.