Reba Allen Eichelberger

Reba Allen (Donatto) Eichelberger, 89 of Baytown, Texas was born in Diasetta, Texas on October 22, 1932 to Alcia and Bernadine (LaChapelle) Donatto and passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

Reba was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who always stood strong for her family. As a young girl growing up during the Depression on a farm with six siblings she was forced to drop out of high school to help support her Mom and Papa. They moved from Louisiana to Texas where she attended Catholic school in San Antonio and later went to work at the telephone company with her sister. She met and married her first husband, Paul (Rocky) Koenig who was actively serving in the military. They traveled from Texas to France, Oklahoma, Germany, and Montana before returning to Texas where she worked as a secretary for Bobcat in San Antonio. She then moved to Sherman, Texas where she earned her nursing degree. After many years of nursing she returned to school to earn her Masters in Hospital Administration. Upon earning her Masters, she completed an internship at a Beaumont hospital before being relocated to Southmore Hospital in Pasadena, Texas.

She met and married the love of her life, Dr. Philip T. Eichelberger, Jr. and they have been married for over 43 years.

In her late 40s she returned to South Texas College of Law where she maintained a 4.0 grade point average and successfully passed the bar to become an attorney.

Reba was a passionate attorney and strong advocate for her clients but her most rewarding experience was working with Child Protective Services as attorney ad litem representing children in the system. Many times she searched out relatives to help place them in a safe home environment whenever possible.

She practiced law until the age of 87 when she had to step down due to an injury. She was the most caring and nurturing person who only wanted the very best for others.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Philip T. Eichelberger, Jr.; sons, Randy Koenig and wife, Vickie; Richard Koenig; Dan Koenig and wife, Velvet; and Philip Eichelberger. She was blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Jane Brigham of San Antonio.

Reba is preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Tony Donatto, Atean Donatto, Joe Donatto, twin brother Raymond Donatto, sister Ida Founteno; and grandson, Paul Richard Koenig.

Funeral services will be held 2 PM Friday, March 11, 2022 at Grand View Funeral Home with visitation starting at 1 PM. Burial will follow at Grand View Memorial Park in Bethany Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Kade Koenig, Shane Koenig, Alex Spencer, Earl Pickering, David Brigham, and Dustin Vyoral with Parker Koenig serving as an honorary pallbearer.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grandviewfunerals.com for the Eichelberger family.