Reene Ann Alley

Reene Ann Alley, 80, passed away July 5, 2015.

Born in Indiana, Reene had lived in Tallmadge since 1991.  She was retired from Youngstown State University where she taught from 1995 to 2002 with school principals and superintendents as a Professor of Educational Administration.  Prior to teaching at YSU, she had also been a Assistant Professor at the University of Akron from 1989 to 1995.  She was a published author and respected expert on McGuffy Readers and antique textbooks.

She started her career as an educator in northern Indiana teaching math, chemistry and physics at the middle and high school levels.  After moving to Indianapolis, in 1968 she taught math, served as the first female Math Department Chair and the first female Assistant Principal at the Junior High School level for Westlane Junior High School in Indianapolis, IN.  She then served as the Principal of Westfield Middle School in Westfield, IN. She was also an original member of the Indiana Principal Leadership Academy in 1985.

Reene's education included a B.S. in Chemistry from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, an M.S. in Mathematics from Purdue University and finally an Ed.D. from Indiana University majoring in School Administration.

Wherever she lived, Reene was very active in her community.  Tallmadge, where she called home for 20+ years, was no different.  Her involvement included being a member of First Congregational Church of Tallmadge, the Tallmadge Historical Society and its museum and the Tallmadge Library where she served as the Library Board President.  She was also a member of the Northeast Ohio Bibliographic Society.  Just recently, she received the Community Service Award from the National Societies of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Akron Chapter, and a commendation for that award from the Ohio House of Representatives.

In Indianapolis, she volunteered at the Children's Museum and Conner Prairie Living Museum, as well as with her children's schools attending all of her children's performances, games, etc. while also providing support to their schools in other ways.  In 1989, Indiana Governor Evan Bayh awarded her with the Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest civilian honor in Indiana.

She loved books, music, traveling and her family.  She was preceded in death by her daughter, Carol Lynn Alley and her sister, Jean Lynch.

Reene is survived by her daughter, Carijane (Richard) Kluger of Indianapolis, Indiana; sons, Jay (Julie Godfrey) Alley all of Indianapolis, Indiana and Steven (Helaine Levy) Alley of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren, Jacob Rauscher, Max Alley, Jenn (Nick) Smith, Eric Alley, Patrick Kluger, and Alexandra Kluger; great grandchildren, Lexi and Ryleigh Smith, Noah Rauscher; sister, Mary (Bob) Wagner of Warsaw, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, Reene's wishes were that donations be made in her honor to the "Reene Ann Shue Alley Educational Research Support Fund for Doctoral Students" through the Youngstown State University Foundation, or to the "Reene A. Shue Educational Research Fund" through the Ball State University Foundation which she established to support preservation of her collection of educational history documents and research at Ball State University and its Teachers College.

Visitation will be 11 until 1 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2015 at First Congregational Church of Tallmadge, 85 Heritage Dr., Tallmadge with Pastor Sarah D. Courtney officiating.

Funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Interment will be a Private Ceremony for the family at Oakwood Cemetery in her hometown of Warsaw, Indiana on Monday, July 13, 2015.