Vera is pictured here with a great-granddaughter, who is her namesake. On May 21 this year, Vera Reither, of Jacksonville, will celebrate her 100th birthday!
Vera Reither was born in Michigan, the fifth child of Martin and Amanda Merz. She graduated high school in Bridgman, then attended River Forest Lutheran Teachers’ College near Chicago. After student teaching in East Detroit, Michigan, she received a call to St. John’s Lutheran Church and School in Beardstown. She met Clarence Reither there and they married in 1949. Four children (Karen, Mark, Gwen and Paul) were born between 1950 and 1959. As time unfolded, six grandchildren were born and a total of 14 great-grandchildren joined the family.
After teaching many years of various classes at St. John’s (and serving some years as principal), Vera and Clarence retired and moved to 1012 W. State St. in Jacksonville, where Vera still resides. The Reithers were married for 72 years until Clarence passed in 2021 at 101 years of age.
Among other interests, Vera plays Scrabble, enjoys crosswords, wins frequently when playing Euchre and is an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, while also rooting for Illini basketball. (Clarence was a Cubs fan.)
A celebration with friends and family will be held privately. However, she enjoys birthday cards! If you’d like to send her one, the address is: Vera Reither, 1012 W. State St., Jacksonville, IL 62650.
