Reba Eileen (Knapp) Sliger

Garrett Dateline              

Reba E. Sliger age 85 of Ft. Wayne, IN and formerly of Garrett, IN died at Parkview Regional Medical Center – Ft. Wayne, IN.  She had been residing at Park Place Senior Living of Fort Wayne for the past 4 years.  Reba was born December 1, 1936 to parents Harold B. and Frances M. (Thompson) Knapp in Elkhart County and lived in Garrett, IN.

Reba married Kenneth P. Sliger on August 26, 1961 in Garrett, IN.  They moved to a farm south of Corunna, IN and resided there for many years raising 4 sons.  Reba and Ken lived on Big Turkey Lake in Lagrange County for several years before moving to Englewood, Florida for about 10 years.  Sixteen years ago they returned to build another home on the original farmland outside of Corunna.

Reba was a graduate of Ashland College, Ashland, Ohio.  Reba worked as an elementary teacher for 29 years, spending most of her teaching career at J.E. Ober Elementary School in the Garrett-Keyser-Butler School District.  She taught first grade for several years.  She then moved up to teach third grade, which she said was her favorite grade.  She was very involved in the educational environment at her school, being twice awarded the Dedication to Excellence District Award.  Reba retired from teaching in 1996.  Even after her retirement Reba still enjoyed teaching about some of subjects she loved.  She participated in historical re-enacting for a time, portraying 19th century school teachers and local historical figures during guided cemetery walks.  After retirement Ken and Reba spent many years traveling quite extensively throughout the United States. 

Reba is the author of the Genealogy of the Knapp and Sliger Families.  She spent many years researching the family histories, finishing it only a few years ago and succeeded in having the books self-published.  Many a family trip was planned around visiting someplace that might help Reba find some connection to her research on the two families.  As the four boys grew up and left home, Ken and Reba were now free to roam to the more out of the way places to look for deceased family relations.  The family joke was that if Mom and Dad were gone from home, they were “off visiting dead relatives.”  There probably wasn’t a cemetery in Indiana or Ohio that Reba and Ken hadn’t visited. 

As a young adult Reba was involved in Rural Youth and its many activities.  Reba was once a member of the Corunna Volunteer Fireman Women’s Auxiliary.  She was an active participant in the Richland 4-H program with her sons. Currently she is a member of the Garret American Legion Post #178 Auxiliary, DeKalb Historical Society, and Daughters of the American Revolution. 

Reba is survived by her 4 sons: Kerry J. (Deb) Sliger, Ft. Wayne, IN; Randy B. Sliger (Jennifer), North Charleston, S.C.; Ryan K. (Kari) Sliger, Ft. Wayne, IN; Kristopher T. Sliger (Joy), Avilla, IN; 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchild.

Reba was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. May the Gates of Heaven be waiting open for you and the Lord Bless and Keep you. 

Reba was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years Kenneth P. Sliger:  her parents:  Harold B. and Frances M. Knapp; four  brothers, Elden R. Knapp, Dale I. Knapp, and Ivan L. Knapp,  Norman A. Knapp; two sisters, Imogene R. (LaRowe)Knapp and Janet (Groen) Knapp .

Visitation will take place from 2-6 p.m. Thursday, August 18, 2022 at Thomas Funeral Home, 1277 C.R. 56, Garrett, IN.

Services will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, August 19, 2022 at Thomas Funeral Home.

Burial will take place in Christian Union Cemetery immediately follow the service – Garrett, IN

Memorials are to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

You may send a condolence or sign the on-line register book by visiting: www.thomasfuneralhome.org

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