Mae E. Reitz, 80 of Effingham, passed away at 6:45 a.m. Monday, August 8, 2016 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 13, 2016 at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham with burial in Arborcrest Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to time of service, Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.

Mae was born August 1, 1936 in St. Peter, the daughter of Emil "E.J." and Elda (Gehle) Runge. She married George E. Reitz, Jr. on August 18, 1957 and he preceded her in death in 1986. Mae was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Effingham. She leaves a legacy of patriotism and held a special place in her heart for the United States Marine Corps in honor of her late husband's service to country.

Mae cherished spending time with her family and friends.  She was employed at the Effingham Daily News for years as a rural carrier and enjoyed making new friends on her route.  She enjoyed travels through the Rhineland in Germany and other regions in Europe, as well as adventuring coast to coast in the United States as often as possible.

Mae absorbed her husband's passion for St. Louis Cardinals baseball and caught as many games as she could, on television, radio, and in person - including spring training games in Florida.  Just last week, she enjoyed a visit to Ballpark Village and the Cardinals Nation facility on the Busch Stadium complex in St. Louis.

Mae is survived by her three daughters, Terry (Mike) Antrim of Effingham, Sandy (Mike) McDevitt of Effingham and Christy Reitz (William) Schermerhorn of Henderson, NV; two sisters, Linda (Ed) Morton of St. Peter and Jane (Denny) Boley of Vandalia; grandchildren, Josh (Erin) Antrim, Jazz (Anthony) Speagle, Jade Antrim, Christian McDevitt and Aaron McDevitt; five great-grandchildren also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, George.