Reba McLone

Reba Marie McLone was born, March 24, 1924 in Tipton, MO to Gertrude (Hunthausen) Orscheln and William C. Orscheln.  She was the oldest of five children.  The family moved to Moberly, MO in the early 30’s where Bill (W.C.) Orscheln and his brothers were building Orscheln Brothers Truck Line.  Reba grew up surrounded by friends and family and at a young age worked for her father in the trucking business following graduation from business school in Chillicothe, MO.

She met Jimmy McLone at a party attended by several young men on leave from active duty in the Army Air Corp at the start of World War II.  The young lieutenant was smitten and started corresponding with her when he returned to war in the Pacific.  They wrote back and forth for a couple of years, developing a deep bond and affection for each other.  When Jimmy returned from war he proposed and the young couple were married on May 2, 1946.  They took up residence in Jefferson City, MO where Jimmy managed the Orscheln trucking terminal.  Two children later, they were transferred to the Kansas City area where Jimmy managed the much larger terminal in North Kansas City.  They resided in Independence in an apartment house they owned and managed and added two more daughters to their family.

In the early 1950’s Jimmy and Reba decided to go their own way and bought a United Super grocery store franchise in Moberly which eventually became Jim’s Thriftway.  They spent the rest of their life together in Moberly, adding their fifth daughter to the family.  Reba supported Jim in the grocery business while together they created a wonderful network of friends and became involved in both their community and their church, St. Pius X.  In the late 50’s they bought two lots at Holiday Acres Lake and over the years built a family legacy which is still enjoyed today by family and friends.

They loved to travel, visiting Europe, the Holy Land, Ireland, Hawaii and one of their favorite spots, Costa Rica.  Reba was the first song leader at St. Pius X following Vatican II in 1967.  She was in choir, a communion minister to the homebound, was active in Birthright and ladies of the K of C.  Everyone who knew Reba also knew her love of full moons, rainbows and frogs, Cardinals baseball and golf, cribbage, cards and wine (it’s good for the stomach, you know). She lived her life glorying in the splendor of God’s creation while she Fully Relied On God.  She never missed a birthday or anniversary and could always be counted on to sing to you ending with “and many more, but don’t count the score!”  She danced and sang her way through life, living it fully and filling it with laughter.  

Reba was preceded in death by her husband Jim McLone, her parents, brothers Donald and Gerald Orscheln, her nephew, Kevin Gibbons and her son-in-law, Gary Cooper.  She is survived by her sisters Edna Caldarello of Moberly and Dorothy Gibbons of Pine, CO, daughters Ellyn (Doug Forbes), Ann Cooper, Madelyn (Dale Wheeler), Donna (Rob Fannin) and Teresa (Eric Entzeroth).  She is also survived by 14 grandchildren: Abby Martin (Matt), Megann Cooper (Dan Nicholson), Brian Wheeler (Lacey), Molly Wheeler, Andy Wheeler (Katie), Jennifer Sims, Douglas Fannin, Angela Davis (Dan), Lesley Fannin (Mike Agler), Heather Nienaber (Sam), Liz Schleuter (Mark), Keith Entzeroth (Julie), Sarah Hartzke (Dan) and Katelyn Entzeroth (Rivu Dasgupta).  She was blessed to have 38 great grandchildren call her GG and many beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to St. Pius X School Foundation, PO Box 112, Moberly, MO, 65270 or EWTN, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210.

Words of comfort and support may be shared with the family at a visitation, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 9-10:30 am at the St. Pius X Catholic Church, to be followed by a Mass of the Resurrection.  Committal prayer and burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery.