Rhea Schaedler

Rhea Lucille (Miller) Schaedler passed from this earth to be with God and her beloved Kenny on Wednesday morning July 23, 2014.

Rhea was born on June 2, 1916, the second child of Emmett and Myrtle (Kahle) Miller in Ai, Fulton County, Ohio. She graduated from Metamora High School in the class of 1934.

She married Kenneth Lewis Schaedler on the family farm in Ogden, Michigan on July 4, 1939. Ken and Rhea made their home in Blissfield, Michigan where together they raised nine children in their 68 years of marriage: Arnold Klump (Barbara), Donna (Klump) Billings (Frank), Dr. Dwight Klump (Carolyn), Delight (Klump) Romsek (Tom), Wayne Klump (Jackie), Carol Ann (Schaedler) Miller ( David), Douglas Schaedler (Elaine), Phillip Schaedler (Barbara) and the Hon. Laura Schaedler.

Rhea worked side by side with Ken in the operation of their plumbing and heating business for over 50 years. Ken and Rhea cherished the love and company of their five grandchildren and four great grandchildren: Aaron Miller (Joelle), Nathan Miller, Jeremy Miller (Jennifer), Natalie Schaedler, Kevin Schaedler, Zavier Miller, Stefan Miller, Anita Miller and Hazel Miller.

Ken paved the way to heaven for Rhea on January 24, 2008.

Rhea was a child of the Depression and frequently shared vivid memories of the trials, tribulations and joys shared by those who experienced those trying and turbulent times. In her long and fruitful life Rhea witnessed the horse give way to the automobile; the growth of industry; and, the horror of world war. Rhea heard the radio make room for the television; she saw a man walk on the moon. She witnessed America’s struggle for racial equality; victory over dreaded diseases; the fall of totalitarianism and the ascendance of the communication age. She never really got the hang of a smart phone though she did try.

Rhea was active in Eastern Star, for many years and served in the united Methodist Women’s Society of the First United Methodist Church in Blissfield, Michigan for decades.  She was board chair of Goodwill/LARC and a delegate to the state convention of the United Methodist Church. Rhea was a member of the ladies auxiliary of the Blissfield Rotary Club and American Legion Post 325. She was a band booster, a room mother, a den mother and a blue bird leader. She was cook, butler and chauffeur to her own family and all of the other kids in the neighborhood. Rhea had countless devoted friends. You were a stranger in Rhea’s house only once. Rhea loved unconditionally, gave selflessly, laughed loud and lived a Christian life without regret or fear. She was proud of her family and loyal to her friends. She was feisty and fierce in their defense, all “5 feet, 9 inches” of her. She loved games of all kinds particularly cards and was as happy playing euchre as she was playing bridge. Rhea was competitive and knew the value of a strategic renege (all within the rules, of course) and, though never proved, she was rumored to take liberties at dominos.

Rhea is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Dale Miller (Marie), her sister Mary (Miller) Klump (Nelson), her niece Pam Miller, her niece Donna (Klump) Billings (Frank), her nephew Wayne Klump (Jackie) and her beloved husband and best friend Kenny. We will miss her bright smile, her easy laugh and her loving embrace.

Funeral services for Rhea were held on Sunday, July 27, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Blissfield with Reverend Kristen Parks officiating.  Visitation was held on Saturday, July 26, 2014, from 4 – 8 p.m. at the Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield. Visitation also took place on Sunday from 2:00 – 2:45 p.m. prior to the funeral service at the church. You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Blissfield, the Blissfield Rotary or Hospice of Lenawee. Envelopes are available at Anderson-Rudd Funeral Home, Blissfield.