Leota Mary “Oatsie” Reich, 88, of Festus died Feb. 7, 2025, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Ms. Reich was a longtime member of Our Lady Catholic Church in Festus. She enjoyed all types of crafting activities, decorating for holidays, playing cards, shopping and entertaining friends and family. She is remembered as a very giving and thoughtful person who kept a picturesque home and was immensely proud of her children and grandchildren. While her husband served in the Vietnam War, she raised her children in Tampa and Homestead, Fla., East Moline, Ill., and Austin, Texas, before the family returned to Festus in 1977. Born Dec. 24, 1936, in East Moline, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Corine (Schulte) and Charles Canfield.
She is survived by a son: Jeffrey (Liz) Reich of Wildwood; three daughters: Joni (Chad) Basler of Olathe, Kan., Jacquelyn (Joey) Todd of Georgetown, Texas, and Julie (Steve) Wallisch of Aurora, Colo.; 11 grandchildren: Dustin John Basler, Chelsea Marie (Drew) Dalbey, Paul Leo Basler, Sobha Lynn Basler, Nicole Corine Nausley, James Dwight “JD” Nausley, Matthew James Reich, George Robert Reich, Cullen Robert Wallisch, Leland Wyatt Wallisch and Samantha Lane Wallisch; and two great-grandchildren: Oliver Grey Nausley and Lincoln Alexanderia Nausley.
She was preceded in death by five siblings: Sister Marie Canfield, Doris Gamel, Ruth Ann “Cornie” Gant, Charles “Bud” Canfield, John Canfield and Bonnie Mohr.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. today, Feb. 10, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. A memorial Mass will be held at a later date at Our Lady Catholic Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.