Bigger than all of those reasons was the loss of Grandpa Reinhart last week.
It wasn't unexpected, all things considered. He'd been battlin' Alzheimer's disease for longer than most of us care to remember. Long story short, the man we knew and love pretty much succumbed two or three years ago after steadily goin' downhill for three or four years before that. His death as a whole was a blessing, and our family has been spendin' the last week laughin' cryin', storytellin' and celebratin'.
Grandpa was among the last of the Greatest Generation, and honorably served aboard the ol' Flyin' Fortress in the Second World War. He was a patriot through and through, and taught me to love the country that he fought for.
Grandpa was a fantastic father and grandfather, a man of God, and one who truly served his community through countless organizations. He was ridiculously intelligent, a sharp dresser, and a conversationalist of the highest order. He loved his family, ice cream, yellin' at baseball umpires through the TV and he played a mean game of pinocle. I could go on for a while, so I'll stop there.
I'll damn sure miss that man.
I'm postin' the obituary more for my future reference, but feel free to read over it.
Kenneth G. Reinhart Jr. of Gettysburg, died Saturday, May 18, 2013 at the Village of Laurel Run.
Ken was born in Scranton, on Sept. 9, 1922. He was the son of the late Kenneth G. and Leona (Rebhorn) Reinhart Sr.
He was a 1940 graduate of Wyalusing High School and a 1949 graduate of Ursinus College. Ken served proudly with the U.S. Army during World War II and retired as a Major with the United States Air Force Reserve in 1982 after more than 30 years of service. He was a member of the Gettysburg United Methodist Church, 60 year member of the Gettysburg Lions and a past district governor. Ken was also a member of American Legion Post #202 in Gettysburg and a member of the club's World War II Last Man's Club.
Ken's professional career started in 1949 as a Assistant Bank Examiner with FDIC. In 1952 he became Gettysburg Joint School District's Business Manager and Board Secretary until 1964. He became a branch manager and salesman of mutual funds from 1964-1965. In 1966 he was appointed to the position of Business Management Advisor and Chief Division of Food Services with the Pennsylvania Department of Education in Harrisburg; from 1974 until his retirement in 1980 he was Administrative Assistant for Management Services for Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12.
He is survived by his wife, Edith P. (Parry) Reinhart, a son, William E. Reinhart of Vienna, Va.; three daughters, Deborah L. Reinhart of New Holstein, Wisc., Patricia L. Murren of New Oxford, and Nancy E. Routch of Boiling Springs, Pa.; three sisters, Mary Kennison of Wyalusing, Pa., Jane Glenn of Fort Collins, Colo. and Carol Laudermilch of Bloomsburg, Pa.; 13 grandchildren, Ian Geiser of West Chester, Pa., Joshua Geiser of Appleton, Wisc., Adrian Geiser of Marina del Ray, Calif., Jesse Murren of York, Jonathan Murren of Hanover, Joseph Murren of New Oxford, Nathan, Adam, Eric, April and Emily Reinhart all of Vienna, Va., Jordan and Allison Routch, both of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and four great grandchildren; Nevaeh and Bentley Geiser of Appleton, Wisc., and Alexander and Lydia Murren of York.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Ken's life will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at 11 a.m. from the Gettysburg United Methodist Church. The Family will receive friends on Friday, May 24 from 4-7 p.m. at the church. A private burial will take place in the Wyalusing Cemetery, Wyalusing, on Sunday, May 26, 2013 with military honors.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 3544 N. Progress Avenue, Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110 or Gettysburg United Methodist Church, Attn: Building Fund, 30 West High St. Gettysburg, PA 17325. Online tributes and condolences can be made at monahanfuneralhome.com. The Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg is assisting the family with the funeral arrangements.
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