Rheatha M. (Myers) Tallenger

Rheatha M. Tallenger, 90, of Marshall, passed away on March 3, 2022 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI.

She was born on May 16, 1931 to Arlon and Edna (Girnus) Myers in Battle Creek, MI. She grew up on Wabash Street in Battle Creek. The family moved to Marshall. Rheatha graduated from Marshall High School.

Following high school graduation, Rheatha worked at the Hitchens Drug Store in Marshall. She then worked as a secretary at the regional office of State Farm in Marshall. She married Al Kramer; and while he was stationed in Korea, she worked at Fort Belvedere in Virginia. Later, while raising three children, she also used her administrative and organizational skills to help her husband’s insurance agency become established and successful. Rheatha was conscientious and believed if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing right. In later years, she worked for Calhoun County and a downtown insurance office, and when an opportunity arose, she went to work for the Child Development Center (CDC) in Marshall. She loved caring for all the babies and toddlers. She had a knack with little ones and so enjoyed watching them learn and grow. Parents and CDC staffers alike were moved by Rheatha’s devotion and level of care, compassion and sound common sense. Long after she had retired, parents often stopped Rheatha on the street to update her on their son or daughter.

Rheatha was divorced and later married Albert Tallenger, former owner and operator of Tallenger's Ice Cream shop on Main Street in Marshall. Both retired, they enjoyed trips to Vicksburg and Grand Rapids to spend time with family, most especially their grandchildren!! Rheatha was a former member of Zion Lutheran Church and Christ Lutheran Church in Marshall.

It is hard to encapsulate Rheatha’s life into these few paragraphs. She sacrificed many times over for her family, offered kindness and compassion to others, loved the art of banter giving as good as she got, and constantly gave us a glimpse of the beauty, fiestiness, and grace inside her.

She is survived by her son Al Kramer and two daughters, Karen (Paul) Nichols and Kathleen (Alex) Heath; three brothers Arlon Myers, Dale Myers, and Jack Myers; and sister Phyllis Riley; three grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arlon and Edna Myers; sister Elsie Shulters; brother Dale Hainline; her first husband, Al Kramer; and her second husband, Albert Tallenger.

Friends may visit with the family from 12-1 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US Hwy 27 N, Marshall, MI 49068, where the funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. Rev. David Moran will officiate the service with interment to follow in Oakridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given in Rheatha’s memory to the Child Development Center, http://www.cdc-mi.org/ . Please visit https://www.kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, sign the guest book, and leave messages for the family.