Adele Newhard Reider, 97, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away peacefully Thursday at home among family and Christmas candles.
She was born in Allentown, Aug. 15, 1918, to Allen and Florence Sames Newhard, and was the wife of Thomas F. Reider Sr., who died in 1990.
Adele graduated from Allentown High School in 1936 and attended Moravian College. She was employed in her family's business, the Albeth Ice Company and Skating Rink.
World War II caused a change in her marriage plans, and in 1943, she took a train alone to Sanford, Fla., to marry Lt. Reider and begin the life of a naval pilot's wife. They were based in many locations, such as Sanford, Key West, Fla.; Providence, R.I.; and New Bern, N.C. After the war, she settled with her husband in Schuylkill Haven, where the new family business was the Reider Shoe Co.
Adele's priority was her home and family, and she took great pride in gardening, cooking and entertaining. She was an active parent volunteer for high school fundraising and activities from the early 1960s through the early 1970s, and served as deacon at St. John's United Church of Christ from 1974 to 1980. She enjoyed her membership in the former Pottsville Garden Club and was proud of her work on the Phoebe Home Board of Directors in Allentown from 1988 to 1995.
Adele and Thomas were world travelers and instilled a love of travel in their children.
In addition to her husband, Adele was preceded in death by a baby daughter, Carolyn Jean Reider; and a brother, Allan S. Newhard.
Surviving are her children, Thomas F. Reider, Jr. and his wife, Charmaine Adams Reider, Schuylkill Haven, James Reider, Schuylkill Haven, Judith Reider, Roscoe, Ill., Cynthia Reider, Jacksonville, Fla.; sister, Joyce Knapp, Lower Gwynedd; grandsons, Brian Reider, Orwigsburg, and Timothy Reider, Royersford; four nieces, seven nephews and several compassionate caregivers.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home Inc., 25 E. Main St., Schuylkill Haven, with the Rev. Janet Lewis officiating. Visitation will take place from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service, with interment following the memorial at Schuylkill Haven Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to St. John's United Church of Christ, 121 E. Main St., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.