Lyle and Betsy Schindler
Betsy and Lyle Schindler moved to Hughes Springs and Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in 1979, two years after marrying at First United Methodist Church in Hughes Springs. They both retired from the funeral home in 2012 after selling the company to outstanding funeral director and Texas Aggie Kris Brock.
The move made Betsy third-generation with Reeder-Davis, after her grandfather Bro. Jimmy Reeder started and built the company in the early 20th Century. Both Betsy’s parents, Leita and Charles Davis, were also licensed funeral directors and proudly built the company even more throughout their tenure with RD.
While in Hughes Springs, Lyle and Betsy raised two children, Steven and Chelsea. Lyle’s two older daughters Kim and Lauren Dawn spent summers and every other Christmas in Hughes Springs during that time.
While Betsy was a Hughes Springs native, Lyle hailed from Wisconsin, moving to Texas from Southern California where he had already served in the funeral business for 15 years. When they married, Betsy had been living in Austin, working at a state agency after graduation from the University of Texas there.
Lyle had pursued his higher education at University of Wisconsin, Stephen’s Point, at Rio Hondo and Fullerton junior colleges, and at Cal State Fullerton before he graduated from California College of Mortuary Science and managed the sole mortuary in La Habra CA.
As a Reeder-Davis funeral director, Lyle served as president of East Texas Funeral Directors Association and served on the board of Texas Funeral Directors Association, in addition to a stint as president of the Hughes Springs Chamber of Commerce and 18 years on the Hughes Springs School Board. Among his fondest accomplishments here was sponsoring a summer basketball league for local high schoolers, who became his life-long friends and later won 2nd place in the Texas UIL Basketball Tournament for Hughes Springs.
Schindler children were Betsy’s focus outside the funeral home, and she taught school, became a Girl Scout leader, and served as a youth leader for her church. Among her favorite accomplishments here was a PTA program that encouraged academic achievement and citizenship by awarding “Honor Cards” to Hughes Springs achievers. The cards entitled the students to prizes and discounts from local businesses, and bumper stickers for parents and grandparents that proclaimed their pride in their accomplished youngster.
Both Lyle and Betsy miss working with the wonderful people at Reeder-Davis, and both miss seeing all the wonderful friends from churches throughout the area at funerals. Says Betsy, “We have some of the best people in the world right here in Northeast Texas!”
Friendly and patient. Very professional & the expenses were reasonable. I recommend their services.