Myrtle Mae (Pelton) Reiff, 95, of Avon

Funeral services are 10 AM, Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at the First Presbyterian Church in Avon. Burial is in the Tyndall Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church in Avon. The service will be live streamed at the First Presbyterian Church Avon Facebook page.

Myrtle Mae (Pelton) Reiff (Merle) was born on October 29, 1930, to Wayne and Viola (Deurmier) Pelton of Avon, SD. Merle was one of eight children and attended Avon School. Merle married Ray Reiff on December 26, 1951, and together they had 6 children: James, Janet, Larry, Peggy, Connie and Lyle. One of her first jobs, working in the K &K, led her to find the love of her life, Ray Reiff. Her family spent most of their time farming south of Avon. Merle helped milk cows, drove tractors, and walked beans—great family bonding times. For many years, she worked outside the farm for Ron's Market, the Springfield Boys & Girls Center, and the leather factory in Avon until she and Ray made the move to town in 2000.

She introduced all her children, grandchildren and even the great-grandchildren to the games of wahoo, rummy, and hearts. There was NO letting you win either! She also loved to put puzzles together. She couldn't wait for the babies of the family to come visit her so she could spoil them by holding them during the whole visit. She also enjoyed watching sporting events that her grandkids played in, going shopping, and playing bingo with her daughters. Even at the age of 95, she could still do math in her head like nobody's business.

Merle was a long-time member of the local American Legion Auxiliary since 1976. While a member, she served as Unit President and Sergeant of Arms.  In addition, she was baptized in the Trinity Presbyterian Church on February 2nd, 2006, and later transferred membership to the First Presbyterian Church.

Merle, 95, died Saturday, January 3, 2026, at her home in Avon, SD.

Thankful for having shared in her life are her 5 children: Janet Wormsbecker, Larry Reiff, Peggy (Jim) Eggers, Connie (Gene) Gretschmann, and Lyle (Jeannie) Reiff; 12 grandchildren: Christie (Eddie) Wobig, Chad (Erin) Wormsbecker, Lisa (Jesse) Heinz, Justin (Christina) Eggers, Joel (Michelle) Eggers, Bryce (Karissa) Eggers, Katie (fiancé Eli Watchorn), Megan, and Abby Gretschmann, Logan, Channing, and Addisyn Reiff; and 16 great-grandchildren: Jaedon, Ashtyn, Brayden, Hudson, Stella, Quinn, Conner, Aurora, Savannah, Mariah, Amelia, Reyna, Melody, Colten, Kenley, and Sawyer. She is also survived by her sibling Ron (Linda) Pelton and sisters-in-law: Charmaine Pelton and Judy Pelton.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, March 18, 2004, infant son James Dale, great grandson Coledon Wobig, son-in-law Llewellyn Wormsbecker, her parents (Wayne and Viola Pelton), her siblings: Evelyn (Curly) Knoll, Betty (Lawrence) Sandau, Charlie Pelton, Carol (Lattie) Draughon, Larry Pelton, and Don Pelton.