Nedra Jean Rettig

Leetonia - Nedra Jean Rettig, 83, of 111 Summit Street, Leetonia, formerly of Defiance and Holgate, Ohio, died Thursday morning, August 5, 2010 at her home following a brief illness.

Nedra was born August 4, 1927 in Tedrow, Fulton County, Ohio, the youngest child of James Arthur and Martha Wenzel Call. She attended school in Fulton County and Wauseon until her junior year when the Wauseon School was destroyed by fire. She completed her senior year at Defiance High School where she graduated in 1935. While working as a waitress at the former Wellman's Restaurant in Defiance, she met a returning Korean War Veteran, Wallace C. Rettig. They were married on October 10, 1954 and moved to Holgate, Ohio.

In addition to being a homemaker, farm wife, and mother to three children, Neddie worked as a dietary cook at the former Northcrest Nursing Home in Napoleon for 9 years. In 1977, she and her husband, Wally moved to Leetonia, Ohio where they partnered with their son, Jon Rettig in the ownership and operation of the Woods-Rettig Funeral Home in Leetonia. Neddie served as receptionist and funeral assistant for over 33 years, working up to the last six months of her life; greeting and comforting hundreds of people who came through the doors.

She was an active member of St. Jacob's United Church of Christ, Leetonia, the Lamplighters Sunday School Class and the Women's Guild. She was a member and Past Matron of the former Charity Chapter Order of Eastern Star in Holgate; a member of the former Leetonia Chapter and was currently a member of Salem Chapter, #334 OES. She was past president of District #7 OES and past president and member of William F. Helmke American Legion Auxiliary, Holgate, where she served as Americanism Chairman for many years. She was currently a member of Joe Williams American Legion Auxiliary of Leetonia and Salon #432 8 & 40 of Columbiana; the Thursday Reading Club, Leetonia and the Gideon's Auxiliary. She was a member of Church Women United and also volunteered at the Help Center in Lisbon.

She is survived by her husband, Wallace C. Rettig, a daughter, Lisa (Rick) Smith of Charlotte, NC; two sons, Jon (Ellen) Rettig, Sr. of East Palestine and Kim (Elizabeth) Rettig of Tuscaloosa, AL; a sister, Coral Edgar Stevens of East Palestine; and five grandchildren, Jon (fiancAC. Nicole) Rettig, Jr. of East Palestine; Joshua Rettig, of LaPlata, Argentina, Joseph (Amanda) Rettig of Beaver Creek, Jean Rettig of East Palestine, and Katherine Rettig of Fayetteville, NC.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Lucile Max and Dorothy Palmer; and three brothers, Jay Call, Blaine Call, and Leon Call.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 9, 2010 at the St. Jacob's United Church of Christ, Leetonia with the Reverend Jenna Brown, her pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery, Leetonia. Friends may call from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Sunday at the Woods-Rettig Funeral Home, Leetonia and one hour prior to the services at the church. Salem Chapter #334 will conduct Eastern Star Services at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to St. Jacob's United Church of Christ or The Luke Commission, P.O. Box 1335, Sagle, ID 83860.