Obituary of John Reed

John E. Reed, age 96, of Chillicothe passed away on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at Heritage Health in Chillicothe with his daughter, Edie and granddaughter, Heather by his side. John was born on July 3, 1920 in Sparland the son of John L. and Bessie (Hunt) Reed. He married Hattie H. Toupal on August 1, 1946 in Dallas, Texas. She preceded him in death on October 13, 2004. Surviving is his daughter, Edie Reed of Chillicothe; two grandchildren, Heather (Ed) Waldron of Mishawaka, IN and Michael (Tami) Hedden of Sturgis, MI.; seven great grandchildren, Taylor Loftus, Beau Waldron, Sophie Waldron, Caitlin Bammerlin, Jacob Hedden, Cheyenne Hedden and Aidan Hedden and, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother, wife, and three sisters. John was a US Army Air Corp Veteran. He served during WW II, from 1942 to 1945 in the 914 Quartermaster Company. John as a child worked with his dad at Krietes's Boat Yard. After the Army he worked for Bemis Bag Company, Cummins Diesel, and then 20 years he worked for Caterpillar Tractor Company at the Tech. Center in Mossville as a Research Diesel Mechanic. John was a lifetime member of the CAT Retirees Club; lifetime member of the Peoria Casting Club, a member of the American Legion Post, and a member of the Chillicothe First United Methodist Church. John loved to fish and sitting down by the river in Chillicothe watching the boats and eagles. When he retired he started a small engines shop at this home and repaired lawn mowers. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff with UnityPoint Methodist Hospice and to Heritage Health in Chillicothe. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Weber-Hurd Funeral Home. Rev. Ray Harrison will be officiating the service. Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening from 5-7:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will take place in the Chillicothe City Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorials may be made in his name to UnityPoint Hospice or to American Legion Post 9. To order flowers, remembrance gifts or to leave a condolence please visited John's memorial website at www.weberhurdfuneralhome.com.