Betty Jean Reish, 79, of Rockford, died at 12:20 p.m. July 18, 2006, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Ind.

She was born March 17, 1927, in Rockford, to Harry and Rosa Belle Gause Rowland. On June 30, 1946, she married Gene Reish, who survives.

Also surviving are a son, Denny, Van Wert; a daughter, Pam (Kenny) Meyer, Rockford; a sister Louise (Stanley) Shellabarger, Rockford; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Deceased are a son Doug; two brothers, John and Carl Rowland; and three sisters, Pauline Snyder, Marie Lehman and Martha Taylor.

She and her husband owned and operated Reish's Five and Dime Store and until 1986 she worked at Tuway Products, both of Rockford. She was a member of Rockford Presbyterian Church.

Services are 10 a.m. Friday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford, the Rev. Karen Long officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Rockford.

Calling is 2-8 p.m. Thursday and one hour before services Friday at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to the church.