Reita Kay Leas, the widow of Robert Wayne Leas, and born Reita Kay Irwin
entered this world on 29 May 1942 in the city hospital of Butler, Butler
county, Pennsylvania as the eldest child, in a family that would consist of
four children, and was the only daughter born to David Conrad Irwin Jr. and
his wife, Dorothy Marie Camphire. She is the only "Reita" to be found in
the Irwin-Camphire family tree being named after the popular Hollywood
star Rita Haywood – her mother adding an "e" to Rita.
Reita would spend her early childhood years growing up in Pennsylvania
and Washington D.C. when her father entered World War II by serving in
the army as part of General Patton's Advance Guard. After WWII ended,
work in Washtenaw County, Michigan was found for the young Irwin family
and Saline, Michigan became Reita's home where she graduated from
Saline High School. Nursing interested Reita and she attended nursing
school in Michigan and California.
In Southern California, she would meet the love of her life, Robert Wayne
Leas and they married in the town of Julian, San Diego county, California on
20 August 1966. Mr. and Mrs. Leas were members of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints and to their union would be born three children.
The Leas home would be in California, Idaho, North Caroline and finally
Indiana.
Memories of Reita are found in her talent for homemaking, creating
delicious meals, and serving within her community, church, and family. A
family memory is of Reita and Robert secretly planning their traditional 12
Days of Christmas gift giving to each other in small and simple ways.
Reita departed this life in the home of her eldest son, Pieter Kriston Leas of
Elkhart, Indiana on 6 Feb 2023 at the age of 80 years, 8 months, and 8 days
surrounded by family. A joyous reunion is being held beyond this life.
Reita is survived by three children: Pieter Kriston Leas [Dawn] of Elkhart,
Indiana; Stephen Wendell Leas [Rezaira] of Winsten-Salem North Carolina;
and Jenah Melinda Thorpe [Chris] of Santa Rosa, California. She has eleven
grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She is also survived by three siblings: David Conrad Irwin Jr [Diane] Saline,
Michigan; Dwight Arthur Irwin [Caroline] Saguache, Colorado; Jon Mark Irwin [Leanne] Spanish Fork, Utah.

Preceding Rita's death are her husband, parents, and granddaughter, Amelia.

Services will be entrusted to Chapel Hill Funeral Home 10776 McKinley Hwy Osceola, IN and are to be held on February 16, 2023 in the chapel at 7:00 pm with a visitation one hour prior to.