Jean Rieger Staffa, 78, of Butler, passed away at Chicora Medical Center on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022.

She was born in Butler on Aug. 26, 1944, to Jack and Lois Rieger.

She married George A. Staffa on June 21, 1973.

She was a former schoolteacher, having taught seventh and eighth grade in the Butler Area School District, where she also wrote curriculum.

She loved children — all children — including her nieces and nephews; they were her children.

She was called to become a pastor and was ordained into the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. In her service to her Lord, she pastored four churches including St. Paul Lutheran Church in North Park, Pittsburgh, Mount Calvary Lutheran and Bethlehem Lutheran Churches in Scenery Hill, Pa. and Christ Lutheran Church in Charleroi, Pa.

She loved music, including singing in chorus and choirs, and playing the piano. She was a recipient of three degrees, and in or out of school, she was always a student. She was a voracious reader of modern fiction.

She and George were members of the Butler County Democratic Committee, beginning in 2010.

Survivors include her husband, George at home; three brothers, William “Bill” and his wife, Margie Rieger, and Joel Rieger and Charles Rieger, all of Butler.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister-in-law, Sandra.

STAFFA — The family of Jean Rieger Staffa, who died Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, will receive friends from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.

Memorial contributions may be given to the United Negro College Fund.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.

This obituary was updated on Dec. 5, 2023 to add churches where she served as pastor.