Rekich

Raylene S. Rekich, 63, of 490 Whitestown Road, Butler, died peacefully Thursday morning, with her loving family by her side, after an extended stay at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Born Dec. 15, 1946, in Oakland Township, she was the daughter of the late James J. and Hazel (Mottern) Karenbauer.

She was a 1964 graduate of Butler High School and had worked as a customer service representative at Citizen's Bank, formerly Mellon Bank, in Butler, for more than 20 years and in the customer service department at Sears. She also worked as a cafeteria monitor at the Oakland Township Elementary School during the years her children attended the school.

Raylene was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Butler, where she was active in many church activities, including Katie's Garden.

A chairwoman and original volunteer of Butler's Freedom Celebration, Raylene introduced the world of "Frog Jumping" to countless children and adults for more than a decade. A Girl Scout and Brownie Troop leader, she was very giving of her time, energy and love, especially for children's organizations, like Toys for Tots.

Surviving are her loving husband, George R. "Buddy" Rekich, who she married March 6, 1993; her three children, Jaloyn Rae Fockler of New York, N.Y., Trevor G. Fockler of College Park, Md., and Janeen Rae Miller and her husband, Gary, and their children Chase and Lydia Miller, all of Butler; along with Dean Rekich and Mary Saloney, both of Butler and Kelly Davis and her husband, John, and their children, Michael Smith and John Caleb Davis, also all of Butler.

Also surviving are her sister, Jana Jo Becker and her husband, Tom, of Glenn Allen, Alaska; two brothers, Gene Karenbauer and his wife, Sandy and Brad Karenbauer and Lisa Schnur, all of Butler; her stepmother, Rose Karenbauer of Butler; and her four stepsisters, Sandy (Fred) Fritch, Cathy (Larry) Albert, Jackie Gold and Terry (Dean) Watterson; her sister-in-law, Janice Karenbauer of Butler; and her deceased sister's companion, Harry Duke of East Butler. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews, who she cared for deeply.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Clair E. Fockler, who she married Aug. 1, 1964. He died Jan. 2, 1992. She also was preceded in death by a brother, James A. Karenbauer, who died Nov. 12, 2007; and a sister, Renae P. Strobel, who died Dec. 4, 2007.

The family of Raylene Rekich would like to extend its sincere gratitude and thanks to all the doctors and staff, especially the wonderful nurses of the SICU, at Butler Memorial Hospital.

<B>Rekich </B>—<B> </B>Family and friends of Raylene S. Rekich, who died Thursday, March 25, 2010, will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 120 Sunset Drive, Butler. The Rev. Thomas M. Pierotti, pastor, will officiate. Interment will follow in North Butler Cemetery, Oakland Township.The family requests memorial donations may be made to the National Stroke Association, 9707 E. Easter Lane, Centennial, CO 80112.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.