Marla Waters Reichert, 67, of Springfield, MO passed away October 2, 2018.  She was born July 13, 1951 in St. Joseph, MO.  Marla grew up in Hamilton, MO attending Penney High School and later graduating from the University of Missouri with a Degree in Education.  Marla met her husband, Tom at MU, and they would go on to be married 42 years.  She was involved locally with Springfield Little Theatre for many years where she was honored with a Frannie Award. She also volunteered her time with Glendale High School Football, the South Side Senior Center and as an elderly caregiver.

Marla was preceded in death by her parents, Roger Kent Waters and Lou Gene Millet and sister, Bonita (Waters) Hunter.  She is survived by her husband, Thomas Reichert, Springfield, MO; daughter, MacKenzie Tapia and son-in-law, Phillip Tapia, Jr. and grandson, Thomas Tapia, all of Albuquerque, NM; son, Seth Reichert, Denver, CO; sister, Kimberly (Waters) Daniels; brother, James Waters; Sister Wendy (Waters) Gittleman  and many nieces, nephews, in-laws and wonderful friends.

Marla fought a 20 year battle against Parkinson's Disease.  She helped to get the Duopa Parkinson's Concept approved in America, participated in a Cleveland Clinic study on bicycling to help Parkinson's and donated her brain to the Movement Disorder Center for Parkinson's as well.  She would ask in lieu of flowers to please donate to Washington University – Department of Neurology, Attn: Susan Donovan for Parkinson's Disease Research, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Box 811, St. Louis, MO 63110.

Memorial Service will be held Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 11:00 AM in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, 1947 E. Seminole, Springfield, MO 65804.  Visitation will be Friday, October 26, 2018 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in the funeral home. Marla was a person who loved color and we will be honoring that at the service so come out in your brightest attire.