Eddie (Edward) W. Rieth

Eddie (Edward W.) Rieth, age 60, of Hattieville, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2024, from complications of his injuries received in his house fire. He was born July 1, 1964 in Junction City, Kansas, a son of the late Edward Leroy Rieth and the late Rosella Marie “Timmerman” Rieth. Dad was as happy as he could be to finally have his boy. Eddie had five anxious sisters waiting at home to meet this new baby boy. Dianna, Cindy, Beverly, Tina and Connie were between 14 and 6 years older than Eddie so he actually had a bunch of little mothers telling him what to do, which as he got older would not always be taken in the spirit that we tried to give it. We all moved back to Haysville, KS, just outside of Wichita, where dad did Finish Carpentry. Eddie started going to work with dad, during the summer when he was about 10. Although he would rather have been riding bikes with friends, going to the pool and other things that 10 year old boys do, he received an education on woodworking that served him well all of his life. He started working with dad right after high school and then took it over after Mom and Dad moved here to Arkansas. Once he moved here to Arkansas himself, he didn't do it nearly as much. He helped dad and mom build their home and was also integral in building Cindy's home. He purchased the five acres across the pond from mom and dad, moved in a double wide mobile home, which was in rugged shape, but began the process of building a facade and transforming it into his beautiful home. When he was through, which included a large garage, he made his five acres into a beautiful sanctuary, with a rock lined stream that bubbled or roared depending on the amount of rain we got. His yard and landscaping became a passion that he was good at. He loved the outdoors, whether it was landscaping or hiking Petit Jean, Nebo or Magazine or just wandering around the hills and streams between his house and Cindy's. Golfing, from high school to just a few years ago was in Eddie's blood. Many days he would shoot 2 rounds in one day and be at it again the next day. He was very good at it, but had no patience with a lot of the mistakes amateurs make, and would tell them, he sponsored his own baseball team for a number of years when he was in Wichita, he bowled with us girls and Robert, just for fun, fun if he was winning, and tried to give us girls pointers on how to improve and accolades for a well played game. Even though he was here, he kept in contact with many of his friends in Wichita and made trips back to do things with them and visit. Eddie became very good friends with Fr. Jim after he started decorating his many trees at Christmas. He would pick Fr. Jim up, drive him past his house and a few others up here on the mountain and then head in to Morrilton to see their lights. Fr. Jim referred to him as his little buddy and would wave real big if he was on his front porch when he would see Eddie and that bright yellow Mustang drive by. He was always there if us girls needed help, and many of his nieces and nephews also. And we hear stories of him offering gift cards to complete strangers if he knew they were in need and buying Christmas gifts for a family if they were down on their luck. So this was our brother, Eddie, and we are sure that when he got to the gates our mom and dad, grandparents, two brothers-in-law, Terry McNett and John (Bo) Lauderdale, many aunts and uncles and cousins, and friends were there to greet him and welcome him in. Survivors include his siblings, Dianna (Jim) Sullivan of Morrilton; Cindy Lauderdale of Hattieville; Beverly Barnes of Morrilton; Tina (Robert) Lanning of Hattieville and Connie (Jerry) Rees of Hattieville. 13 nieces and nephews, 38 great-nieces and nephews and 3 great-great- nieces and nephews. Funeral mass will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 26, at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father Jack Harris officiating. Rosary will be 5:00 p.m. Sunday August 25 with visitation to follow until 7:30 at the Harris chapel. Pallbearers will be Vince McNett, Adam Sullivan, Blake Sullivan, Arron Rees, Avery Rees, Bryce Scott, Aydan Scott and Ethan Rees.

Eddie (Edward) W. Rieth

July 1, 1964 - August 21, 2024