Mary Margaret McKerring Reitler

1949 - 2025

You would be hard pressed to find Mary at home, as she was typically ringing bells for a multitude of various causes in and around Oscoda. Mary was known for her incredible love of her church, all things Oscoda Schools and the community in general. Mary fought a tough battle with cancer and passed away Jan. 7, 2025 at U of M Hospital in Ann Arbor, with her family by her side.
Mary was born in Flint, Michigan on March 15, 1949 to Harry and Marion (McKeon) McKerring. She is a graduate of Oscoda High's Class of 1967, earned her BA in Education from Michigan State University in 1971.
Mary immersed herself in teaching and advocating for students with disabilities for 20 years as a Special Education teacher throughout Iosco County. After she obtained her Master's Degree in Counseling from CMU, she assumed the Office of the Principal at Oscoda High from 1991-2005. Mary was awarded Principal of the Year in 1994 from the Michigan Association of Student Council. Her grace and skill as Principal leaves her widely recognized as one of the most accomplished of any administrator in the history of Oscoda Area Schools.
Mary's impact and influence led her to the Oscoda/AuSable Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2011 and Iosco County Community Foundation's Citizen of the Year in 2024. She served on many boards and held key positions with the Rotary Club, Oscoda Area School Board, AAA Credit Union, Downtown Beautification, Oscoda FISH, to name a few.
Mary was very actively involved and dedicated to Sacred Heart Church in Oscoda for over seven decades, often being the first person to champion causes for our community and of all humankind.
Mary met her husband, James G. Reitler, in 1977 and they were married Aug. 8, 1980. Together they built a beautiful life and family on VanEttan Lake. They have four children, Melissa Reitler Pehrson of East Tawas, Casey Reitler of AuSable, Lindsey (Tom) Hutchings of Oscoda, and Nicholas (Kristina) Reitler of East Lansing; Mary's grandchildren, Georgia Pehrson, Jack LeClair, Aiden and Tyler Hutchings, who loved their "Nana" very much. Mary is survived by her brother, John H. (Sharon) McKerring of San Diego, Calif.; and sister, Nancy E. McKerring of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Judy Dean; brothers, Daniel, David and Timothy McKerring; her in-laws, Gerald and Alvina Reitler; and son-in-law, Jim Pehrson.
A funeral will be held Friday, Jan. 10 at her most favorite place, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oscoda. Visitation is from 1:30-3:30 p.m. with funeral Mass immediately following. A luncheon will be held following Mass. The family is also planning a celebration of life service that will be held in July.
Those wishing to donate in Mary's name may do so to The Oscoda Education Opportunity Foundation at www.oscodaeducationfoundation.org/donate.