John Edward Reinig, 103, passed into Eternal Life on August 6, 2024. Born on August 4, 1921 in Shelby County, Iowa, he was the fourth, and last surviving, of six children to Mathias and Mary "Mamie" (Nollen) Reinig. John was named after his beloved uncle who was killed on the last day of WWI. In his hometown of Portsmouth, Iowa he was known as "Shine."

John attended Leland Grove School, a one-room schoolhouse where a teacher taught all 8 grades. At the early age of 12 when the family came on hard times during the Great Depression, John left home to work on other farms until he finished school. At 14, he worked without wages to get next in line for a paying position doing road construction, and by 17 he was supervising the operations of heavy equipment. His experience and self-study in the construction trade was equivalent to a college degree.

Even though his brother "Bud" was drafted into World War II, John enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy Construction Battalion, the "Seabees," 1942-1945. Stationed in Australia, New Guinea, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Tinian he helped build critical infrastructure used in the Pacific Campaign. His war stories included the tragic loss of his brother, his experiences with cannibals, head-hunters and tropical diseases. He received his honorable discharge on Christmas Day, 1945.

John met and married his wife, Joyce Wolfe in 1948 while working on a portion of the Harlan County Dam Railroad Relocation west of Alma, Nebraska. They lived in "trailer houses" and would take the family from one state to another following his work. It was around 1958 that Oklahoma City became the place where they stayed. John has supervised the building of roads, highways, and dams all across the Midwest including a portion of the famous Route 66. Companies he worked for included Western and Peter Kiewit. He became field partner of Cimarron Construction Company in Edmond. It was in 1989 that John retired from CMI Corporation where he was manager of equipment sales. He continued to be an advisor to those who needed it.

John was extremely mechanically inclined. He could and often WOULD fix most anything from his kid's cars to mammoth construction equipment. He took notes fervently of any information he needed to remember accurately in a tablet diary he kept in his shirt pocket (a two pocket shirt was a necessity).

He enjoyed golf, reading the newspaper, watching football and the stock market, playing the "mouth harp," practical jokes and pinochle. He and his wife enjoyed traveling all over the United States in their RV. They were blessed with many lifelong friendships. They were parishioners of Christ the King Catholic Church, and currently St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Extended family was kept close and friends were often just like family. Their love and devotion to their children and grandchildren serves as a great example of good people. They celebrated 75 years of marriage in 2023.

John was still healthy, body and soul, into his 90's. His strong will and determination had overcome a lifetime of challenges and losses, including a bout with cancer. He died peacefully at his daughter's home, where he was cared lovingly for the last two years of his life.

John was predeceased by his parents; three children, Walter "Wally," Carolyn, and Stephen; his brothers, Ed and Walter "Bud," and his sisters, Bernice, Delores, and Pauline.

He leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories with his surviving wife, Joyce; his children, Linda Sefcik, Mary Ellen Singleton (Scott), Peggy Vogt (Steve), and Jeff Reinig (DeAnn); 17 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. He will be sorely missed.

The Reinig family would like to thank the various wonderful health care workers and family members for providing for his needs... with health monitoring and the latest information technology... making his final years as happy as possible and allowing him to be with family until the end.

A memorial service with military honors will be held on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service in Bethany. Interment will take place in Resurrection Memorial Cemetery following the service.