MAYS - Mary Lou Rea, 87, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on May 10, 2026. Mary Lou was born on February 7, 1939 in Fountain City, Indiana to Paul and Mary (Caldwell) Geise. She spent most of her life living in Rush and Fayette counties. Mary Lou was a class of 1957 graduate of Connersville High School. She married her high school sweetheart David Lee Rea on September 25, 1960 at the Bentonville Christian Church. Mary Lou was a homemaker who had also worked as a bookkeeper, housecleaner, seamstress, and bank teller during her life. She was a member of Center Christian Church for over 50 years. She had served her church as a Sunday School teacher and a Loyal Worker in the past. She was a former member of both the Bentonville Christian Church and Grace United Methodist Church. Mary Lou loved listening to gospel music, the Gaithers, Owen Mac, Mercy Me, and any worship music. She loved to share God’s Word whenever she could with those around her. The love of Jesus Christ flowed through her onto everyone she met. Mary Lou also had such a fun-loving spirit and liked to tease and joke around with those close to her.

Survivors include son, Jesse (Gretchen) Rea of Connersville; daughters, Kathy (Steven) Ingram of Soddy Daisy, TN, and Rebecca (Millard) Schutt of Mays; sister, Betty Thomas and brother, David Geise. Mary Lou will also be missed by nine grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and many other family and friends.

Besides her parents and husband, Mary Lou was preceded in death by brothers, Eugene Geise and Jerry Geise, and sisters, Phyllis Sasser, Juanita Berry, and Virginia Stiers.

Special thanks goes out to Suburban Hospice for giving Mary Lou such excellent care over the last two years of her life. Her hospice team (Charlie, Logan, Angie, and Krista) as well as many others at Suburban became family to her and her family. She loved them dearly.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Marshall & Erlewein Funeral Home P.O. Box 158 Dublin, Indiana 47335 to help with funeral expenses.

Please refrain from wearing perfume or cologne to the funeral services as some family members are sensitive to smells.

Funeral services will be Monday May 18th , 2026 at 1 p.m. at Center Christian Church, West of Mays Indiana at 9112 N. 50 W., Knightstown, IN 46148. Burial will follow at the Bentonville Cemetery. Visitation will be at the church from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday May 17th .

Marshall & Erlewein Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.