Earlene Rieffenberger

Earlene (Weber) Rieffenberger, age 88, passed away November 25th, at her home in Westerville, with her immediate family present.  She was born February 27, 1929 in Cambridge, MA to the late George C. and Berla M. (Bonness) Tolin.  Raised in Somerville, MA, with summers in Grand Lake Stream, Maine, Earlene was proud of her new England roots, her Mayflower heritage, and DAR membership. Upon graduation from Somerville High, Earlene moved to Washington DC, where she was a bookkeeper for Capitol Airlines. Thus, began her love of travel. There she met her future husband, Bob Weber.  Upon his discharge from the army they moved to his hometown, Columbus, where she became a lifelong resident.   She then went to work at Capitol Bookkeeping until becoming a parent.  The family also expanded to include the first of numerous dogs.   In 1965 the family moved to Clintonville, building a residence on Olentangy Blvd.  In 1976 her first husband Robert passed away.  In 1978 Earlene married John Rieffenberger and they moved to Westerville in 1989.   John affectionately referred to Earlene as “Mean Earlene”, a nickname that stuck.  She was kind, funny, creative, and a devoted mother.  She was a talented seamstress, gardener, and artist.  Through the years Earlene participated in many activities devoted to her children and family, including helping to organize Navy Air Station Reunions, in support of husband John.  She is sadly missed.  Preceded in death by husband, Robert Martin Weber, husband John W. Rieffenberger, and brother, George Carlton Tolin.  Survived by siblings; Jackie MacGillivray, Carlene Woodyard, Rosemarie Harrison, Paul St. Germaine and Lorraine St. Germaine.   Children; Laine Weber and Robert Cuyler Weber (Julie), Grandchildren; Ian Weber and Melanie Weber-Sauer, special friend Nick West and many nieces and nephews.  A Celebration of Life will be held Friday December 15th from 2:00 to 4:00 at Shaw-Davis Funeral Home, 4341 N. High Street, Columbus.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Lung Association or the American Cancer Society.