Kathryn Eileen (Abbott) Rees

Kathryn Eileen (Abbott) Rees, age 91 of Sidney passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 11:04 PM at her home.  She married Samuel W. Rees, September 13, 1952, in Denver Colorado while he was stationed with the USAF. He passed Feb 19, 2018.  The two of them celebrated 65 years of marriage with Harvey and Helen Woodell of Sidney, who stood up for them when they were married. The Woodells were also stationed in Denver at the time.  Kathryn was the daughter of Charles Forrest and Wilma Yinger Abbott of Sidney. She has one brother, Ralph Abbott, wife Gail(deceased) of Sidney and several nieces and nephews.

Three children survive: Diane (Rick) Milanese, Teresa Covington, David (Kelly) Rees. One infant daughter, Linda Sue, is deceased.  Also surviving are 11 grandchildren: Christopher (Lacey) Lauterbur of IL, Dan (Hayley) Lauterbur of Cincinnati, Steve (Kim) Milanese of Cincinnati, David (Traci) Milanese of Sidney, RJ Milanese of NY, Melinda Smith of Sidney, Ryan (Selina) Covington of MI, Jaclyn Covington of Sidney, Kyle (Casey) Rees of Sidney, Evan (Ellyse) Rees of FL and Luke Rees of OH. Also surviving are 12 great grandchildren along with 3 great-great grandchildren. One great grandson, Owen Samuel Lauterbur, is deceased.

While her husband served in the USAF they lived in Denver CO, Columbus, IN, and Wiesbaden, Germany (2 yrs). She lived in Cincinnati for 6 yrs while her husband was employed with Celina Insurance Co and was employed herself at General Electric as a sub-section secretary. She attended Miami University extension classes in Hamilton in the evenings. She was a 1952 Sidney High School Graduate. In 1971 she and her husband Sam moved back to Sidney and bought and operated the Sidney Newsstand and Bookstore for 39 years. Included in the operation was the Greyhound Bus station, UPS drop-off and the first Ohio Lottery location in Shelby County.

She was a member of Sidney United Methodist Church, having transferred from the Hardin Methodist Church where she was baptized and grew up. She was a member of Olivia Circle at church, was a 65-year Grand member and American Legion Auxiliary member.  She loved to play cards with her club members, loved watching her children and grandchildren in school and sports activities. She loved her music and played the organ at the Hardin church.  She was a talented artist and painted in watercolors and oils and loved ceramics. She was at the height of her glory when she was working on craft projects.  She volunteered in her last year at FISH in Sidney and loved helping in the Christmas Store.

Funeral Services for Kathryn will be held Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Cromes-Edwards Funeral Home with Rev. Jane Madden officiating. Burial will follow at Beechwood Cemetery in Lockington. The family will receive friends on Friday from 5 to 7 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to SCARF of Sidney, reflecting her long-time love of her cats (especially rescues) or Wilson Hospice.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cromesfh.com